Hasse - Cleofide / Kirkby, Mellon, Wong, Ragin, Visse, Cordier, Cappella Coloniensis, Christie

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
While Handel went to England to become the most successful opera composer of his time, Hasse went to Dresden to become the most famous opera composer in Germany. Cleofide, like Handel's Poros, is based on Metastasio's libretto about Alexander the Great's magnanimity, but focuses more on the Indian queen Cleofide and her fidelity to her lover Poros, despite his jealousy. The cast in this recording includes one male and two female sopranos plus three countertenors; and the unfortunate result of all those high voices is that it is hard to tell the characters apart. The men (apart from the incisive Dominique Visse as Alexander) do a fair amount of falsetto hooting at uncertain pitches; the women are much better, and the ubiquitous Emma Kirkby (as Cleofide) brings more color into her voice than usual. Under William Christie's knowledgeable direction, everything moves along briskly and the orchestra plays brightly. Hasse didn't have Handel's gift for melody and characterization, but Cleofide is well written and imaginatively orchestrated and contains many good tunes. It will be of particular interest to Baroque opera enthusiasts; for others, it is an interesting and attractive curiosity. Good notes and excellent sound. --Alex Morin

Hasse - Cleofide / Kirkby, Mellon, Wong, Ragin, Visse, Cordier, Cappella Coloniensis, Christie, Music, Johann Adolf Hasse, William Christie, Emma Kirkby, Derek Lee Ragin, Cappella Coloniensis, Agnès Mellon, Dominique Visse, Randall Wong, David Cordier, Christophe Rousset, Yvon Repérant, Yasunori Imamura, Mihoko Kimura, Classical, Classical Music, German/Austrian Classical Period Opera, Opera, Opera/Operetta
Hasse - Cleofide / Kirkby, Mellon, Wong, Ragin, Visse, Cordier, Cappella Coloniensis, Christie
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Discovering an unknown gem
  • a voice teacher and early music fan
  • Counter-tenor Heaven
  • Really worthy recording of this Opera Seria
  • A 'must have' for Baroque opera collectors!
 Hasse - Cleofide / Kirkby, Mellon, Wong, Ragin, Visse, Cordier, Cappella Coloniensis, Christie
Johann Adolf Hasse , William Christie , Emma Kirkby , Derek Lee Ragin , Cappella Coloniensis , Agnès Mellon , Dominique Visse , Randall Wong , David Cordier , Christophe Rousset , Yvon Repérant , Yasunori Imamura , and Mihoko Kimura
Manufacturer: Capriccio
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by HasseAll Works by Hasse | Hasse, Johann Adolf | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
Christie, WilliamChristie, William | ( C ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Classical (c.1770-1830)Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances
GermanGerman | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
OperettasOperettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000001WLE
Release Date: 1995-01-19

Tracks:

  1. Act 1, No.1. Ov - Capella Coloniensis/William Christie
  2. Act 1, No.2. Rec: Fermatevi, Codardi - Emma Kirkby/Derek Lee Ragin
  3. Act 1, No.3. Aria: Che Sorte Crudele - Emma Kirkby
  4. Act 1, No.4. Fuggi, Mio Re - Randall K. Wong/Derek Lee Ragin/Dominique Visse/David Cordier
  5. Act 1, No.5. Aria. Vedrai Con Tuo Periglio - Derek Lee Ragin
  6. Act 1, No.6. Rec: Questa Che Ad Alessandro - Agnes Mellon/Dominique Visse/David Cordier
  7. Act 1, No.7. Aria: Vil Trofeo D'un Alma Imbelle - Dominique Visse
  8. Act 1, No. 8. Rec: O Rimprovero Acerbo - David Cordier/Agnes Mellon
  9. Act 1, No.9. Aria: Chi Vive Amante Sai - Agnes Mellon
  10. Act 1, No.10. Rec: Ma Qual Sorte E La Mia - David Cordier
  11. Act 1, No.11. Aria: S'appresti Omai La Vittima - David Cordier
  12. Act 1, No.12. Rec: Reina A Te Io Vengo - Emma Kirkby/Derek Lee Ragin
  13. Act 1, No.13. Aria: Se Mai Piu Saro Geloso - Derek Lee Ragin
  14. Act 1, No.14. Rec: Erissena! Che Veggo! - Emma Kirkby/Agnes Mellon/Derek Lee Ragin
  15. Act 1, No.15. Aria: Se Mai Turbo Il Tuo Riposo - Emma Kirkby

Tracks:

  1. Act 1, No.16. Rec: Erissena Che Dici? - Agnes Mellon/Derek Lee Ragin
  2. Act 1, No.17. Rec: Dove Mio Re? - Randall K. Wong/Derek Lee Ragin
  3. Act 1, No.18. Aria: Se Possono Tanto Due Luci Vezzose - Derek Lee Ragin
  4. Act 1, No.19. Rec: Principessa Adorata - Agnes Mellon/Randall K. Wong
  5. Act 1, No.20. Aria: Vuoi Saper Se Tu Mi Piaci? - Agnes Mellon
  6. Act 1, No.21. Rec: Perche Senz'opra - Randall K. Wong
  7. Act 1, No.22. Aria: Voi Che Adorate Il Vanto - Randall K. Wong
  8. Act 1, No.23. Rec: A La Tua Fede, Amico - Dominique Visse/David Cordier
  9. Act 1, No.24. Marcia Degl'Indiani - Cappella Coloniensis/William Christie
  10. Act 1, No.25. Rec: Generoso Alessandro - Emma Kirkby/Dominique Visse
  11. Act 1, No.26. Rec: Monarca, Il Duce Asbite - Emma Kirkby/Derek Lee Ragin/Dominique Visse/David Cordier
  12. Act 1, No.27. Aria: Se Amore A Questo Petto - Dominique Visse
  13. Act 1, No.28. Rec: Lode A Gli Dei - Emma Kirkby/Derek Lee Ragin
  14. Act 1, No.29. Duetto: Se Mai Piu Saro Geloso - Emma Kirkby/Derek Lee Ragin
  15. Act 2, No.30. Rec: Lode A Gli Dei - Derek Lee Ragin/Randall K. Wong/Agnes Mellon
  16. Act 2, No.31. Aria: Appena Amor Sen Nasce - Randall K. Wong
  17. Act 2, No.32. Rec: Germano, Anch'io Vorrei - Agnes Mellon/Derek Lee Ragin
  18. Act 2, No.33. Aria: Generoso Risuegliatti, O Core - Derek Lee Ragin
  19. Act 2, No.34. Sinf Di Stromenti Militari - Cappella Coloniensis/William Christie
  20. Act 2, No.35. Rec: Signor, L'India Festiva - Emma Kirkby/Randall K. Wong/Dominique Visse/David Cordier
  21. Act 2, No.36. Duetto. Sommi Dei, Se Giusti Siete - Emma Kirkby/Derek Lee Ragin
  22. Act 2, No.37. Rec: Ah! Mio Ben, Giunge - Emma Kirkby/Derek Lee Ragin/Dominique Visse/David Cordier
  23. Act 2, No.38. Aria: Se Trova Perdono - Dominique Visse

Tracks:

  1. Act 2, No.39. Rec: Macedoni, Alla Reggia - Emma Kirkby/Derek Lee Ragin/David Cordier
  2. Act 2, No.40. Aria: Digli Che Io Son Fedele - Emma Kirkby
  3. Act 2, No.41. Rec: Tenerezze Ingegnose! - Derek Lee Ragin/David Cordier
  4. Act 2, No.42. Aria: E Ver Che A L'amo Intorno - David Cordier
  5. Act 2, No.43. Rec: Per Salvarti, O Regina - Emma Kirkby/Randall K. Wong/Dominique Visse
  6. Act 2, No.44. Aria: Se' Ver Che T'accendi - Dominique Visse
  7. Act 2, No.45. Rec: Qual Fausto Nume - Emma Kirkby/Randall K. Wong
  8. Act 2, No.46. Aria. Spera Si Che Amor Pietoso - Randall K. Wong
  9. Act 2, No.47. Rec: Poro Mio Dolce Amor - Emma Kirkby/Agnes Mellon
  10. Act 2, No.48. Aria: Se Costa Tante Pene Amor A La Belta - Agnes Mellon
  11. Act 2, No.49. Acc: Qual Tempesta D'affetti - Emma Kirkby
  12. Act 2, No.50. Aria: Son Qual Misera Colomba - Emma Kirkby
  13. Act 3, No.51. Rec: Dunque Vive Il Germano? - Agnes Mellon/Randall K. Wong
  14. Act 3, No.52. Aria: Pupillette Vezzosette - Randall K. Wong
  15. Act 3, No.53. Rec: Un Si Fatal Impegno - Emma Kirkby/Agnes Mellon/Dominique Visse
  16. Act 3, No.54. Aria: Se Troppo Crede Al Ciglio - Emma Kirkby

Tracks:

  1. Act 3, No.55. Rec: Chi Non Avria Creduto - Agnes Mellon/Dominique Visse
  2. Act 3, No.56. Aria: Non E Si Vago Quel Gelsomino - Agnes Mellon
  3. Act 3, No.57. Rec: Per Qual Via Non Pensata - Dominique Visse/David Cordier
  4. Act 3, No.58. Aria: Cervo Al Bosco - Dominique Vissel
  5. Act 3, No.59. Rec: O Perdono! - David Cordier/Derek Lee Ragin
  6. Act 3, No.62. Aria: Quanto Mai Felici Siete - David Cordier
  7. Act 3, No.61. Rec: Ecco Spezzato - Agnes Mellon/Randall K. Wong
  8. Act 3, No.62. Aria: Dov'e? Si Affretti - Derek Lee Ragin
  9. Act 3, No.63. Rec: Su L'orme Del Germano - Emma Kirkby/Agnes Mellon/Randall K. Wong
  10. Act 3, No.64. Rec: Secondate, O Gran Numi - Emma Kirkby
  11. Act 3, No.65. Aria: Perder L'amato Bene - Emma Kirkby
  12. Act 3, No.66. Chor: Da Gli Astri Discendi - Rheinische Kantorei Dormagen/William Christie
  13. Act 3, No.67. Rec: Ne L'odorata Pira - Emma Kirkby/Derek Lee Regin/Dominique Visse
  14. Act 3, No.68. Rec: Signor Qui Prigioniero E Il Re Nemico - Emma Kirkby/Agnes Mellon/Randall K. Wong/Derek Lee Ragin/Dominique Visse/David Cordier
  15. Act 3, No.69. Chor: Al Nostro Consolo - Rheinische Kantorei Dormagen/William Christie

Amazon.com

While Handel went to England to become the most successful opera composer of his time, Hasse went to Dresden to become the most famous opera composer in Germany. Cleofide, like Handel's Poros, is based on Metastasio's libretto about Alexander the Great's magnanimity, but focuses more on the Indian queen Cleofide and her fidelity to her lover Poros, despite his jealousy. The cast in this recording includes one male and two female sopranos plus three countertenors; and the unfortunate result of all those high voices is that it is hard to tell the characters apart. The men (apart from the incisive Dominique Visse as Alexander) do a fair amount of falsetto hooting at uncertain pitches; the women are much better, and the ubiquitous Emma Kirkby (as Cleofide) brings more color into her voice than usual. Under William Christie's knowledgeable direction, everything moves along briskly and the orchestra plays brightly. Hasse didn't have Handel's gift for melody and characterization, but Cleofide is well written and imaginatively orchestrated and contains many good tunes. It will be of particular interest to Baroque opera enthusiasts; for others, it is an interesting and attractive curiosity. Good notes and excellent sound. --Alex Morin

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Discovering an unknown gem.......2007-06-02

Some months ago I started to listen to baroque opera with high attention. I was aware of the beauty of Handel's or Porpora's operas by listening excerpts of their operas, mostly arias or duettos, but, to be honest, never dared to listen one of those operas entirely thinking that the ammount of recitatives would turn them boring. How wrong I was. Somebody told me of this record chatting in internet and I decided to buy it. It's not easy to find it; as a matter of fact I had to buy it in a second-hand shop. I got very impressed with the beauty of the arias, duettos, orchestration, the sharp voices of male performers, the adorable performance of Emma Kirkby and the delicious voice of Randall K. Wong just to outstand two of them, because none of the singers disappointed me. I have to admit that it made me feel very happy and that I extracted excerpts of the opera to listen while driving or while on subway with my mp3 player. There are extremely beautiful arias and the instrumental accompaniment is superb (listen the aria Cervo Al Bosco of Dominique Vissel on CD 4 and you'll verify what I mean)

To summarize, a beautiful opera awesomely performed. If you can find it, never hesitate about the purchase.

5 out of 5 stars a voice teacher and early music fan.......2007-05-21

Johann Hasse (1699-1783) studied with Porpora in Naples. He was the first composer to set many of Metastasio's texts, and his music reflects the neo-classical ideal of Metastasio's style. A powerful dramatist, he was renowned for his careful use of the accompanied recitative (this is very evident in 'Cleofide'). Hasse's long career covered the period around the middle of the eighteenth century, and his later works reveal attempts at overall unity by means of tonal planning and a reaction against the 'da capo' aria like those in the later works of Gluck. In 1734 he became comnposer to the court of Dresden, becoming one of the most powerful exponents of the Italian operatic style in Germany. 'Cleofide' was first performed in Dresden in September, 1731.

The cast of this opera consists of six main singers, all very skilled, not only in their singing ability, but also in their dramatic and expressive rendering of each of their arias. The two sopranos Emma Kirkby and Agnes Mellon have lovely voices, Kirkby's voice being somewhat lighter and thus seeming to be more flexible. She is the real star of this opera, not just because of the number of arias, but because she is a natural born performer. No matter what genre, no matter the role, whether it be the complicated music of Bach or the simpler music of Purcell, she shines!!!!The four countertenors DO NOT SOUND the same. In fact, one of them (Randall Wong) is a sopranist,and just marvelous. His high notes 'slip right into place' and he is a joy to hear. It is fortunate that Dominic Visse was present as the voice of Alexander because there is no way you would not know his sound; it's somewhat grateing, but he has much flexibility and a rather nice high register. Derek Ragin also has his own unique sound: much vibrato, much oramentation and a very wide range; I personally like his sound! My favorite countertenor in this opera is David Cordier; he has the smoothest and loveliest voice of all, and as previously stated in another review, he does sound much like Michael Chance.
The recitatives are lengthy, but that didn't bother me because they go quickly and are sung very well. The arias have pleasant melodies and the accompaniement , under the direction of Wm. Christie ,is approriately played. It's a great treat for the Early Music Opera Lover!!!!

5 out of 5 stars Counter-tenor Heaven.......2007-04-16

If you love the high male voice, and Emma Kirby, this is the CD for you. Emma takes the title role of Cleofide, Ragin as the main love interest. The highlight of the opera was the duet with the two on the second disc. Wong sings a magnificent soprano, no heavy voice here. Visse adds to the mix as Alexander the Great with a different but pleasant sound. David Cordier, whose voice resembles Michael Chance's in my opinion, has some of the best arias in the production. If you don't care for the long rececitatives, don't let that scare you away. They are aria after aria throughout.

5 out of 5 stars Really worthy recording of this Opera Seria.......2006-09-14

This set is one of my favourite Opera Seria recordings. The singers are at home in the music, all the voices are very different from each other, the period instrument orchestra plays with colour and pizzazz and the pace of this long opera is natural and moving.

This recording features Randall K. Wong, the male soprano and his voice is one of the best high male voices I've ever heard. Derek Lee Ragin is here, too, and he was in top form when he sang in this production. Dominique Visse, too, is excellent, and it is nice to hear him sing straight without any snarls.

This is an expensive set but well worth it if you are in the slightest bit curious about Opera Seria, castrati and the world of Italian Baroque opera. All the arias are good and Hasse was a remarkable composer.

5 out of 5 stars A 'must have' for Baroque opera collectors!.......2005-01-10

After seeing the film "Farinelli," I became interested in the music of Johann Adolf Hasse. A giant of opera in his day (alongside GF Handel and N Porpora), I was stunned to find that only one or two recordings of his music existed, and these were typically only excerpts of his religious music or a rare opera aria performed by a singer amongst a collection of arias by other composers. Until this recording by the Cappella Coloniensis... I picked it up in a budget catalog (at a discount!), and from the opening bars of the vigorous overture was entirely entranced. Critics of his day insisted that Hasse's melodies were more beautiful than Handel's, and that his command of writing music for the human voice greater than any composer in memory. The evidence is in this music. Counter-tenor Derek Lee Ragin provides one of the finest performances of his career and one of the finest in the modern counter-tenor library, making one shrug at the pleasant but restrained singing of other counter-tenors like David Daniels.Christie conducts every bar with sensitivity and mastery; Kirby, Dominque Visse and Randall K Wong provide stunning performances as well. (In fact, I had to read the libretto five times before I realized the arias credited to Wong were indeed sung by this man, and not the result of misprinted credits supposed to go to a young female soprano).

Not one aria in the recording is tiresome... each one soars with beauty and melodic grace. Of course, this is a Baroque opera. Don't look for Puccini-like dramatic moments, Verdi-esque choruses, or a rock-solid dramatic libretto. This opera was written to entertain, and to showcase the finest singers of Hasse's time... The sound of male altos and sopranos is not for every ear in the modern audience. But for any music lover eager to hear historically accurate Baroque opera, this recording is a must!

Track Listings:

  1. Holst: The Perfect Fool / The Planets
  2. Iannis Xenakis 1: Chamber Music 1955-1990
  3. In Sara Mencken Christ & Beethoven There Were Men
  4. J.S. Bach & Telemann: Funeral Cantatas [Import]
  5. Jacob Obrecht: Missa Maria Zart
  6. Jorge Liderman: The Song of Songs
  7. Joseph Haydn: London Symphonies Nos. 93, 94 "The Surprise" & 95
  8. Kemp Conducts Richard Strauss-2
  9. Kid's Classics: Toys
  10. Korngold: Symphony; Much Ado about Nothing Suite

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