Steffani's Resurgence in Music
Agostino Steffani, a 17th- and 18th-century Italian priest, diplomat, and composer, has gained renewed attention in recent years through performances and recordings by notable artists like Cecilia Bartoli and Philippe Jaroussky. His operas, though few in number, are now considered significant works of Baroque music.Steffani's Musical Style
Steffani's compositions blend Italian bel canto with German counterpoint and instrumentation, and French choreography and theatrical flair. This fusion, known as the "goûts réunis" style, sets his work apart from his contemporaries in the Hamburg school, including Reinhard Keiser and Georg Friedrich Händel.Orlando generoso, a Notable Work
Orlando generoso (1691), one of Steffani's most famous operas, was composed for the newly established opera house in Hanover. The libretto, based on Ludovico Ariosto's Orlando Furioso, features a complex narrative with many characters and intricate plot developments.New Recording and Staging Choices
A recent recording of Orlando generoso uses a slightly revised edition, assigning more solos to the title character and fewer to Medoro. The staging, while adding visual elements, sometimes distracts from the music, particularly with stage noises and vocal adjustments affecting the performance of bass Streten Manojlovi.Cast and Performances
The cast in this recording is less star-studded than in previous productions, such as Niobe. While some performers, like soprano Shira Patchornik, deliver vibrant and lyrical performances, others, such as Hélène Walter's Angelica, are less dynamic compared to earlier portrayals.Challenges of the Lead Role
The role of Orlando is particularly demanding for a countertenor, requiring both vocal stamina and technical precision. Terry Wey, who performs the role here, avoids the falsetto register as much as possible, focusing on his chest voice to deliver a more attractive sound, even if it lacks variety.Conducting and Ensemble Praise
Conductor Dorothee Oberlinger and the Ensemble 1700 bring a vibrant and emotionally rich interpretation to Orlando generoso. Their performance highlights the score's dramatic contrasts and musical nuances, offering a more expressive and less clinical reading than previous recordings.
