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Reviewer: David
Reynolds
Who knew there was another
Cleopatra? Isabel Bayrakdarian does. "This project's Cleopatra of Pontus
(110-58 BC) was the daughter of Mithridates VI, and became Queen Consort of
King Tigranes II, known as Tigranes the Great of Armenia...(she) was
instrumental in making Tigranes II the greatest king in Armenian history, by
the alliance through marriage of two mighty nations, Armenia and Pontus",
explains the singer in her detailed notes. This Cleopatra is seen through
the eyes of three composers—Hasse, Vivaldi, and Gluck—using the same text by
Abate Francesca Silvani (1660-1728). Hasse was well known as an opera
composer in his lifetime, described by music historian Charles Burney as
"the most natural, elegant, and judicious composer of vocal music". His
reputation has increased in the last three decades as more of his music has
been revived. He seems to have written the arias here for a singer who had
what we would call today a mezzo-soprano, a term not in use in Hasse's time.
There are no high excursions, and the vocal line stays mainly in the middle
register. Vivaldi and Gluck's reputations have been more secure in musical
history, though much of their opera and vocal writing has come to be
reassessed. All three composers respond to the dramatic texts with tuneful,
colorful writing, only a little of which requires vocal agility. Their use
of the orchestra varies too—Gluck's the most interesting. It is great to
have another record from Bayrakdarian. She has a knack for unearthing music
that hasn't been heard in centuries and brings it to life with her colorful
soprano. Most of the music here doesn't take her very high, though she
retains her soprano timbre. I was impressed by her ornamentation that takes
her way below the staff in several selections. Constantine Orbelian and the
Kaunsas City Symphony are also effective. Delos offers excellent sound,
notes, texts, and translations.
Any scholar or lover of
Baroque and early classical music should hear this. | ||||
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