René Jacobs reissues historic recording

René Jacobs, a renowned conductor and singer, has reissued a recording of a concert he gave in Innsbruck in 1980, marking his eightieth birthday. The recording, originally released in 2006 for his sixtieth birthday, is now being released again on October 30, the day of his birthday, with a digital version followed by a double CD on November 6.

Historic performance details

The 1980 concert took place in the Hofburg in Innsbruck, where Jacobs was accompanied by William Christie on harpsichord and organ, Wieland Kuijken on viola da gamba, Konrad Junghänel on theorbo, and soprano Judith Nelson. The performance featured a pasticcio of arias, recitatives, and duets from six operas by Pietro Antonio Cesti, a composer who once had the support of the Tyrolean court but later fell into obscurity.

Jacobs' musical storytelling

Jacobs is best known for revolutionizing the performance of Monteverdi, Handel, and Mozart. This recording highlights his work as a singer, showcasing his precise diction, deep understanding of text, and ability to convey dramatic storytelling through subtle vocal inflections, qualities he later demanded from his interpreters.

Career-defining moment

The 1980 concert had a significant impact on Jacobs' career. Festival director Otto Ulf was impressed by his exploration of Cesti’s music and entrusted him with conducting a concert version of L’Orontea in 1982, while also singing the role of Alidoro. This led to the release of a recording by Harmonia Mundi and marked the beginning of his career as an opera conductor.

Reviving forgotten music

This summer, the Innsbruck festival revived Il pomo d’oro, one of the operas from which Jacobs performed excerpts in 1980. The festival reconstructed lost sections of the opera using preserved fragments and other works by Cesti. This revival is part of a broader effort to bring back the music of composers like Cesti, thanks to pioneers like Jacobs who have kept their work alive.

A tribute to a legacy

The reissue of the recording includes a duet from Il pomo d’oro titled "O mia vita," which Jacobs performed with Judith Nelson in 1980. Additional tributes to Jacobs' legacy will be featured in upcoming columns, celebrating his contributions to music and his enduring influence on the world of opera.