Max Emanuel Cencic, George Petrou, Il Pomo d’Oro, Lauren Snouffer – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 (2017) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Max Emanuel Cencic, George Petrou, Il Pomo d’Oro, Lauren Snouffer – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 (2017)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 03:23:08 minutes | 3,66 GB | Genre: Classical, Opera
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Decca Music Group Ltd.

One should not think that at the time when Handel was around, an opera was a finished product, etched in stone, the score of which was some kind of Holy Grail that would not suffer any tampering with, be it so benign. From that point of view, Handel’s Ottone is a case in point. Some extensive adjustments probably arose from Handel’s collaboration with the famous prima donna Francesca Cuzzoni, who had arrived in London in December 1722, but a fortnight before the first performance, and immediately threw a tantrum. Several of her arias she rejected and had had Handel substitute with entirely different new music. According to Mainwaring’s Memoirs of the Life of the Late George Frederic Handel (1760), having one day some words with Cuzzoni on her refusing to sing the aria Falsa imagine, the composer had shouted, in French: “I know very well that you are a veritable she-devil: but I will show you that I am Beelzebub the Chief of the Devils ” and with this he took her up by the waist, and, if she uttered another word, swore that he would fling her out of the window. This being said, many of the modifications he made during the rehearsal period had nothing to do with Cuzzoni. All in all, eleven arias and one duet were finished but then discarded and replaced before the first performance, and several other arias were considerably revised . It is impossible to determine which changes were instigated by Handel himself on artistic grounds and which were compromises in order to satisfy his singers’ whims and overblown egos. In addition to rejections, redrafts of scenes and wholesale substitutions by Handel during the opera’s composition and preparation, further amendments were also made during its first run . Moreover, he replaced and also added several extra arias for the twelfth performance, which took place on 26 March 1723 after a break of several weeks because of Lent. So: what does “the real” Ottone look like? This recording presents a reconstruction of the complete first performance version, but it also incorporates Handel’s expansions to two scenes reworked especially for Cuzzoni. As an appendix, there are three bonus tracks of new arias composed for the title-role in Handel’s 1726 revival, making it an Ottone as complete as possible. All this extra music will allow the listener to enjoy even more the great voices of the recording, to begin with the countertenor Max Cencic, but also the soprano Lauren Snouffer – who sings the part initially held by the infamous Cuzzoni –, accompanied by the ensemble Il pomo d’oro playing on period instruments and conducted by George Petrou.

Tracklist:
1-01. George Petrou & Il Pomo d’Oro – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Overture-a) Lentement-Allegro (03:20)
1-02. George Petrou & Il Pomo d’Oro – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Overture-b) Gavotte (01:20)
1-03. Ann Hallenberg & Il Pomo d’Oro & George Petrou – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 1-“Pur che regni il figlio amato” (02:55)
1-04. Ann Hallenberg & Xavier Sabata & George Petrou & Il Pomo d’Oro – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 1-“Chi più lieto è di me” (02:21)
1-05. George Petrou & Il Pomo d’Oro & Ann Hallenberg – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 1-“La speranza è giunta in porto” (02:59)
1-06. Il Pomo d’Oro & Lauren Snouffer & Xavier Sabata & George Petrou – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 1-“Vien di Romano inclita figlia” (01:26)
1-07. Xavier Sabata & Il Pomo d’Oro & George Petrou – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 1-“Bel labbro formato per farmi beato” (04:21)
1-08. Il Pomo d’Oro & Lauren Snouffer & George Petrou – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 1-“È tale Otton?” (01:09)
1-09. George Petrou & Lauren Snouffer & Il Pomo d’Oro – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 1-“Falsa imagine, m’ingannasti” (06:35)
1-10. George Petrou & Il Pomo d’Oro – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 1-Concerto (02:32)
1-11. Max Cencic & George Petrou & Il Pomo d’Oro & Pavel Kudinov – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 1-“Te, che assalir le nostre navi osasti” (01:30)
1-12. Pavel Kudinov & Il Pomo d’Oro & George Petrou – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 1-“Del minacciar del vento si ride” (04:03)
1-13. Max Cencic & Anna Starushkevych & Il Pomo d’Oro & George Petrou – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 1-“Tutto a più liete cure” (02:48)
1-14. Il Pomo d’Oro & George Petrou & Max Cencic – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 1-“Ritorna, o dolce amore, conforta questo sen” (04:14)
1-15. Il Pomo d’Oro & George Petrou & Anna Starushkevych – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 1-“Anch’io sperai” (00:35)
1-16. Il Pomo d’Oro & George Petrou & Anna Starushkevych – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 1-“Di resti pui così” (06:04)
1-17. Ann Hallenberg & Il Pomo d’Oro & George Petrou & Lauren Snouffer – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 1-“Tu la madre d’Otton?” (01:57)
1-18. Ann Hallenberg & George Petrou & Il Pomo d’Oro – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 1-“Pensa ad amare” (03:23)
1-19. Xavier Sabata & Lauren Snouffer & Il Pomo d’Oro & George Petrou – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 1-“Adelaide, di cui con tanta lode; Indietro, indietro” (01:00)
1-20. Il Pomo d’Oro & Ann Hallenberg & George Petrou & Lauren Snouffer & Xavier Sabata – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 1-“Stenti la Bianca mano” (01:10)
1-21. Lauren Snouffer & Il Pomo d’Oro & George Petrou – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 1-“Giunge Otton?” (00:38)
1-22. Il Pomo d’Oro & Lauren Snouffer & George Petrou – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 1-“Affanni del pensier, un sol momento” (07:14)
1-23. Il Pomo d’Oro & George Petrou – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 1-Sinfonia (00:10)
1-24. Xavier Sabata & George Petrou & Max Cencic & Il Pomo d’Oro – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 1-“Cedi il ferro, o la vita” (00:52)
1-25. Xavier Sabata & George Petrou & Il Pomo d’Oro – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 1-“Tu puoi straziarmi” (02:15)
1-26. Il Pomo d’Oro & Max Cencic & George Petrou – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 1-“È di più mio rival?” (00:47)
1-27. George Petrou & Il Pomo d’Oro & Max Cencic – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 1-“Dell’onda ai fieri moti” (03:18)
2-01. George Petrou & Il Pomo d’Oro – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 2-Sinfonia (00:29)
2-02. Il Pomo d’Oro & Xavier Sabata & George Petrou & Anna Starushkevych – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 2-“Per breve spazio a me colui ” (01:37)
2-03. Il Pomo d’Oro & George Petrou & Xavier Sabata – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 2-“Lascia, che nel suo viso” (03:23)
2-04. Anna Starushkevych & George Petrou & Il Pomo d’Oro – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 2-“Ah! che più non resisto” (01:56)
2-05. Il Pomo d’Oro & George Petrou & Anna Starushkevych – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 2-“Ah! tu non sai quant’il mio cor sospira” (05:07)
2-06. Il Pomo d’Oro & George Petrou & Ann Hallenberg – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 2-“Ben a ragion Matilda” (01:05)
2-07. Il Pomo d’Oro & George Petrou & Ann Hallenberg – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 2-“Veni, o figlio” (06:55)
2-08. Il Pomo d’Oro & George Petrou & Lauren Snouffer – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 2-“Spera simi dice” (05:10)
2-09. Lauren Snouffer & George Petrou & Max Cencic & Anna Starushkevych & Il Pomo d’Oro – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 2-“Quegli, è certo il mio sposo” (02:44)
2-10. George Petrou & Anna Starushkevych & Il Pomo d’Oro – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 2-“All’orror d’un duolo eterno il mio amore” (03:36)
2-11. George Petrou & Max Cencic & Lauren Snouffer & Il Pomo d’Oro – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 2-“O illustre Teofane” (01:24)
2-12. Lauren Snouffer & George Petrou & Il Pomo d’Oro – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 2-“Alla fama, dimmi il vero” (03:12)
2-13. Max Cencic & Il Pomo d’Oro & George Petrou – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 2-“Con gelosi sospetti” (00:32)
2-14. Il Pomo d’Oro & George Petrou & Max Cencic – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 2-“Dopo l’orrore” (05:17)
2-15. Il Pomo d’Oro & Lauren Snouffer & George Petrou – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 2-“O grati orrori” (02:29)
2-16. Il Pomo d’Oro & Lauren Snouffer & George Petrou – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 2-“S’io dir potessi al mio crudele” (05:10)
2-17. Il Pomo d’Oro & George Petrou & Xavier Sabata & Pavel Kudinov – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 2-“Del gran sasso” (01:09)
2-18. George Petrou & Pavel Kudinov & Il Pomo d’Oro – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 2-“Le profonde vie dell’onde” (02:10)
2-19. Anna Starushkevych & Lauren Snouffer & Il Pomo d’Oro & Max Cencic & Xavier Sabata & George Petrou – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 2-“Odo gente” (02:04)
2-20. George Petrou & Il Pomo d’Oro & Max Cencic – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 2-“Deh! non dir, che molle amante” (03:25)
2-21. Xavier Sabata & Il Pomo d’Oro & Lauren Snouffer & Pavel Kudinov & George Petrou – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 2-“Già d’ogni interno” (01:11)
2-22. Ann Hallenberg & Il Pomo d’Oro & George Petrou & Anna Starushkevych – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 2-“Odo il suono” (00:55)
2-23. Anna Starushkevych & George Petrou & Ann Hallenberg & Il Pomo d’Oro – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 2-“Notte cara” (04:25)
3-01. Max Cencic & Il Pomo d’Oro & George Petrou – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 3-“Dove sei? Dolce mia vita!” (04:12)
3-02. Ann Hallenberg & Il Pomo d’Oro & Max Cencic & George Petrou – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 3-“Già t’invola” (01:54)
3-03. Il Pomo d’Oro & George Petrou & Ann Hallenberg – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 3-“Trema, tiranno” (02:33)
3-04. George Petrou & Max Cencic & Il Pomo d’Oro – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 3-“lo son tradito” (01:27)
3-05. George Petrou & Il Pomo d’Oro & Max Cencic – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 3-“Tanti affanni” (05:45)
3-06. Il Pomo d’Oro & George Petrou & Lauren Snouffer – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 3-“Empi, al vostro attentato” (00:52)
3-07. Il Pomo d’Oro & Xavier Sabata & George Petrou – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 3-“D’inalzar i flutti” (03:49)
3-08. George Petrou & Lauren Snouffer & Il Pomo d’Oro & Pavel Kudinov – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 3-“Perchè in vita tornai” (01:06)
3-09. Lauren Snouffer & Xavier Sabata & George Petrou & Il Pomo d’Oro & Pavel Kudinov – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 3-“Temerario pirata” (00:54)
3-10. George Petrou & Lauren Snouffer & Il Pomo d’Oro – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 3-“Si, mi traete alme” (00:48)
3-11. Lauren Snouffer & George Petrou & Il Pomo d’Oro – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 3-“Benchè mi sia crudele” (03:58)
3-12. Pavel Kudinov & Il Pomo d’Oro & George Petrou – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 3-“Deh! ti trattiene” (01:48)
3-13. George Petrou & Pavel Kudinov & Il Pomo d’Oro – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 3-“Nò, non temere, o bella!” (03:26)
3-14. Il Pomo d’Oro & George Petrou & Lauren Snouffer – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 3-“Pur cangiasti alla fin” (00:37)
3-15. Lauren Snouffer & George Petrou & Il Pomo d’Oro – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 3-“Gode l’alma consolata” (04:26)
3-16. George Petrou & Ann Hallenberg & Max Cencic & Anna Starushkevych & Il Pomo d’Oro – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 3-“Uno de’ servi miei” (01:45)
3-17. Anna Starushkevych & George Petrou & Il Pomo d’Oro – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 3-“Nel suo sangue, e nel tuo pianto” (02:32)
3-18. Ann Hallenberg & Xavier Sabata & Anna Starushkevych & Il Pomo d’Oro & George Petrou & Pavel Kudinov & Max Cencic – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 3-“Matilda, arresta si piede” (02:09)
3-19. Max Cencic & Il Pomo d’Oro & Lauren Snouffer & George Petrou – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 3-“Frena, crudel” (00:43)
3-20. George Petrou & Il Pomo d’Oro & Lauren Snouffer & Max Cencic – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 3-“A’ teneri affetti” (03:41)
3-21. Il Pomo d’Oro & Ann Hallenberg & George Petrou & Pavel Kudinov & Anna Starushkevych & Max Cencic & Xavier Sabata & Lauren Snouffer – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 3-“Ma qual caso” (01:24)
3-22. Lauren Snouffer & Max Cencic & George Petrou & Anna Starushkevych & Xavier Sabata & Il Pomo d’Oro & Ann Hallenberg & Pavel Kudinov – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 3-“Faccia ritorno l’antica pace” (01:33)
3-23. Max Cencic & Il Pomo d’Oro & George Petrou – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 1-“Cervo altier” (04:20)
3-24. Max Cencic & George Petrou & Il Pomo d’Oro – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 1-“Io sperai trovar riposo” (05:38)
3-25. Il Pomo d’Oro & George Petrou & Max Cencic – Handel: Ottone, HWV 15 / Act 3-“Un disprezzato affetto” (04:50)

Personnel:
Max Emanuel Cenčić (Ottone)
Lauren Snouffer (Teofane)
Pavel Kudinov (Emireno)
Ann Hallenberg (Gismonda)
Xavier Sabata (Adalberto)
Anna Starushkevych (Matilda)
Il Pomo d’Oro
George Petrou

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