Sogno Barocco

The programme featured in this album is built upon the dreams of Monteverdi, Cavalli, Rossi and Provenzale, four of Italy’s greatest opera composers in the 17^th century. It marks Anne Sofie von Otter’s return to Baroque repertoire, which she already immortalised fifteen years ago in an album produced with Archiv Produktion, in collaboration with Musica Antiqua Köln. With Leonardo García-Alarcón at her side, she elevates these Early Baroque masterpieces with her magnetic singing, bringing out the drama contained in the text (a highlight is her interpretation of Monteverdi’s “Sì dolce è ‘l tormento“!). A must-listen for Baroque lovers and amateurs alike!

“Monteverdi is to early music what Shakespeare is to theatre: his music can be read in unlimited ways, both intellectually and emotionally.”
Anne Sofie Von Otter

The masters of Italian opera

Four masters reigned over Italian opera in the 17^th century: Claudio Monteverdi, Francesco Cavalli, Luigi Rossi, and the lesser-known Francesco Provenzale, maestro di cappella of the Naples’ Cappella di San Gennaro and a contemporary of Alessandro Scarlatti. Monteverdi transported the lyric genre from the court to the village. Cavalli popularised it in public theatres. Provenzale adapted it to the Neapolitan style, mixing burlesque and tragedy, while Luigi Rossi exported it to Paris. This album is a tribute to these composers.

A word from Leonardo García Alarcón

“This album evokes several queens and kings, both mythological – such as Penelope (Queen of Ithaca), Diana (crowned Queen of the Forest by Jupiter), Helena (Queen of Sparta) – and historical – such as Poppea (Empress of Rome) and Mary Eleanor of Brandenburg (the Swedish Queen). Anne Sofie von Otter’s voice reveals previously unknown worlds to us and draws out unexpected sounds from our instruments. Her voice shows us how we as artists should tackle our repertoire – with a subtle blend of intelligence, curiosity, inventiveness and rigour, using our creativity to seek out novelty.”

Leonardo García Alarcón

Sogno Barocco

The masters of Italian opera

Artists

A word from Leonardo García Alarcón

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