QUELLA FIAMMA: ARIA ANTICHE
NATHALIE STUTZMANN
with Orfeo 55
Erato 0190295765293 / *****
Whenever
the subject of “aria antiche” comes up, one invariably thinks of old Italian
songs in singing lessons watched over by crusty teachers of a didactic bent.
French contralto Nathalie Stutzmann completely dispels that notion, breathing
fresh new air to 19th century voice pedagogue Alessandro Parisotti's
collections of “teaching” songs. Seeking out original contexts of 17 such
songs, some from operas, cantatas and others as stand-alone arias, the results
are breathtaking.
In
Francesco Conti's cantata Doppo tante e tante pene (After So Much
Suffering), from which the titular aria Quella Fiamma (The Fire
That Burns Me) arises, and one is immediately in awe of Stutzmann's agility
and outsized vocal range, especially in the low registers. Handel's Ah! Mio cor, schernito sei (Oh, My Heart, You Are Scorned) from Alcina
simply sizzles from the depth of emotion displayed. Also enjoy the variety
provided by composers like Scarlatti, Bononcini, Cesti, Caccini and Carissimi
among others.
There
are also familiar favourites: Martini's Plaisir d'Amour (Pleasures of
Love, sung in French), Paisiello's Nel cor piu non mi sento (I No
Longer Feel In My Heart) and Se tu m'ami (If You Love Me),
once thought to be by Pergolesi, but now attributed to Parisotti himself.
Purely orchestral pieces, also conducted by Stutzmann, add to the immense
pleasure of this outstanding recital disc.
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