George Frideric Handel - George Frideric Handel, Christian Curnyn, Early Opera Company, Rosemary Joshua '2007

Tracks list

	Tracklist

CD1
01. Partenope, HWV 27: Overture
02. Partenope, HWV 27: Act I Scene 1: Tu dell' eccelse Mura (Thou to the lofty
Walls) (Partenope)
03. Partenope, HWV 27: Act I Scene 1: Viva viva Partenope viva (Oh live
Parthenope! Live Ages o'er) (Chorus)-Miei Fidi arride il Cielo (My Friends,
Heaven views us with a Look benign) (Partenope)
04. Partenope, HWV 27: Act I Scene 2: Arsace (Arsaces) (Armindo, Arsace,
Partenope, Rosmira)
05. Partenope, HWV 27: Act I Scene 3: Regina, in folte Schiere (Great Queen!)
(Ormonte, Arsace, Armindo, Partenope, Rosmira)
06. Partenope, HWV 27: Act I Scene 3: L' Amor ed il Destin (Both Love and Fate
shall meet) (Partenope)
07. Partenope, HWV 27: Act I Scene 3: O Eurimene ha l' idea di Rosmira (Or
Eurimines has Rosmira's Air) (Arsace)
08. Partenope, HWV 27: Act I Scene 4: Cavalier, se gli Dei (Sir, if the Gods
have not inclined your Thoughts) (Rosmira, Armindo)
09. Partenope, HWV 27: Act I Scene 4: Se non ti sai spiegar (If then you fear to
speak) (Rosmira)
10. Partenope, HWV 27: Act I Scene 4: Armindo ardisci e prova (Be resolute
Armindo, and attempt) (Armindo)
11. Partenope, HWV 27: Act I Scene 4: Voglio dire al mio tesoro (Now to my
lovely Fair I'll fly) (Armindo)
12. Partenope, HWV 27: Act I Scene 5: Ah! Ch' un volto fatal mi da gran pena!
(What Pangs I suffer from a fatal Face!) (Arsace, Rosmira)
13. Partenope, HWV 27: Act I Scene 5: Un altra volta ancor (You promised,
Faithless, once before) (Rosmira)
14. Partenope, HWV 27: Act I Scene 5: Rosmira, oh! Dio! Rosmira (Rosmira, Oh ye
Gods! the fair Rosmira) (Arsace)
15. Partenope, HWV 27: Act I Scene 5: Sento Amor con novi Dardi (Love
unrelenting, with a varied Dart) (Arsace)
16. Partenope, HWV 27: Act I Scene 6: Stan pronti i miei Guerrieri a stringer l'
armi? (Are my brave Warriors now prepared for Battle?) (Partenope, Ormonte)
17. Partenope, HWV 27: Act I Scene 6: T' appresta forse amore (Or Love perhaps
may bid you arm) (Ormonte)
18. Partenope, HWV 27: Act I Scene 7: Signora (My Queen) (Armindo, Partenope)
19. Partenope, HWV 27: Act I Scene 8: E di che reo son Io? (And in what fatal
Act have I offended?) (Arsace, Partenope)-Per te moro (For thee the Pangs of
Death I prove) (Arsace, Partenope)-Taci, basta (Enough, my Fairest, O forbear)
(Arsace, Partenope)
20. Partenope, HWV 27: Act I Scene 9: E se giunge Eurimene? (And what tho'
Eurimenes now approaches) (Partenope, Arsace, Rosmira)
21. Partenope, HWV 27: Act I Scene 9: Sei mia gioja, sei mio bene (Thou art my
Joy, in thee I'm blest) (Partenope)
22. Partenope, HWV 27: Act I Scene 9: I novelli amor tuoi (I've heard myself
your new concerted Passion) (Rosmira, Arsace)
23. Partenope, HWV 27: Act I Scene 9: Dimmi pietoso Ciel (Tell me, ye gracious
Power, that rule the Sky) (Arsace)
24. Partenope, HWV 27: Act I Scene 10: Ecco Emilio (Behold Emilius) (Ormonte,
Emilio, Partenope, Armindo, Rosmira, Arsace)
25. Partenope, HWV 27: Act I Scene 10: Anch' Io pugnar sapro (Now War shall all
my Thoughts engage) (Emilio)
26. Partenope, HWV 27: Act I Scene 11: Arsace, tu sarai (To you, Arsaces, as my
General) (Partenope, Armindo, Rosmira, Arsace, Ormonte)
27. Partenope, HWV 27: Act I Scene 11: Io ti levo l' Impero dell' Armi (Your
Power in Arms I now control) (Partenope)
28. Partenope, HWV 27: Act I Scene 12: Lascia deh! lascia, o Prence (Forbear,
let me entreat you, Prince, forbear) (Arsace, Rosmira, Armindo)
29. Partenope, HWV 27: Act I Scene 12: E figlio il mio timore (The Fears my
throbbing Heart express) (Arsace)
30. Partenope, HWV 27: Act I Scene 13: Prence, di te mi lagno (Ah Prince! with
Reason I reproach your Conduct) (Armindo, Rosmira)
31. Partenope, HWV 27: Act I Scene 13: Io seguo sol fiero (My Genius leads me to
the Glades) (Rosmira)

CD2
01. Partenope, HWV 27: Act II Scene 1: Sinfonia
02. Partenope, HWV 27: Act II Scene 1: Forti mie Schiere, alla vicina Impresa
(My martial Troops, to the approaching Combat) (Emilio)
03. Partenope, HWV 27: Act II Scene 1: Marche
04. Partenope, HWV 27: Act II Scene 1: Ma le nemiche Squadre (The hostile
Squadrons) (Emilio, Partenope)
05. Partenope, HWV 27: Act II Scene 1: Con valorosa mano (With a victorious
Hand) (Emilio, Partenope, All)
06. Partenope, HWV 27: Act II Scene 1: Soccorso (Assist me) (Partenope, Armindo)
07. Partenope, HWV 27: Act II Scene 1: Sinfonia
08. Partenope, HWV 27: Act II Scene 1: Renditi, o pure estinto (Yield, or you
die) (Emilio, Arsace, Rosmira, Partenope, Ormonte)
09. Partenope, HWV 27: Act II Scene 1: Vi circondi la Gloria d' Allori (May
Laurel grace your Brows sublime) (Partenope, Arsace, Armindo, Rosmira, Ormonte)
10. Partenope, HWV 27: Act II Scene 2: Contro un pudico Amor cotanto sdegno (And
can such Scorn pursue my purest Passion) (Emilio)
11. Partenope, HWV 27: Act II Scene 2: Barbaro Fato si (Yes, Fate, I feel thy
cruel Doom) (Emilio)
12. Partenope, HWV 27: Act II Scene 3: Care Mura in si bel giorno (Ye pleasing
Walls) (Partenope)
13. Partenope, HWV 27: Act II Scene 3: Emilio! (Emilius!) (Partenope, Emilio,
Rosmira, Arsace, Ormonte, Armindo)
14. Partenope, HWV 27: Act II Scene 3: Voglio amare insin ch' Io moro (Till
Death divides me from my Love) (Partenope)
15. Partenope, HWV 27: Act II Scene 4: Ti bramo Amico, e teco (My Soul is fond
of thee, my Friend) (Arsace, Emilio, Armindo, Rosmira)
16. Partenope, HWV 27: Act II Scene 4: E vuoi con dure tempre (And will that
unrelenting Mind) (Arsace, Rosmira)
17. Partenope, HWV 27: Act II Scene 5: Non puo darsi in un petto (No Breast did
ever sure contain before) (Emilio, Armindo, Rosmira)
18. Partenope, HWV 27: Act II Scene 5: Furie son dell' Alma mia (Revenge and
Rage and jealous Pain) (Rosmira)
19. Partenope, HWV 27: Act II Scene 6: A pro di chi t' offese (And how can you
imploy thes friendly Prayers) (Partenope, Arsace)
20. Partenope, HWV 27: Act II Scene 6: Porterti dir vorrei (I wish, believe me,
to impart) (Arsace)
21. Partenope, HWV 27: Act II Scene 7: Regina (My Queen) (Armindo, Partenope)
22. Partenope, HWV 27: Act II Scene 7: Non chiedo o luci vaghe (Dear charming
Eyes that pierced my Heart) (Armindo)
23. Partenope, HWV 27: Act II Scene 7: Piu d' ogn' altro sarebbe (I owe his
Merit, and confess, that none) (Partenope)
24. Partenope, HWV 27: Act II Scene 7: Qual Farfalletta (Like the poor Wanton in
the Night) (Partenope)
25. Partenope, HWV 27: Act II Scene 8: Quanto godo Eurimene (How do I joy to see
my Eurimines) (Armindo, Rosmira)
26. Partenope, HWV 27: Act II Scene 9: Rosmira mia, mio bene! (O my Rosmira! my
Soul's better Part) (Arsace, Rosmira)
27. Partenope, HWV 27: Act II Scene 9: Furibondo spira il vento (The furious
Blast resistless flies) (Arsace)

CD3
01. Partenope, HWV 27: Act III Scene 1: Sinfonia
02. Partenope, HWV 27: Act III Scene 1: Regina ti compiace (Is it your Will,
great Queen) (Armindo, Partenope, Arsace, Emilio)
03. Partenope, HWV 27: Act III Scene 1: Non e incauto il mio consiglio (I
harbour no uncautious Thought) (Armindo, Emilio, Arsace, Partenope)
04. Partenope, HWV 27: Act III Scene 2: Partenope, Eurimene (To you, Parthenope,
see Eurimenes) (Rosmira, Partenope, Arsace, Armindo, Emilio)
05. Partenope, HWV 27: Act III Scene 2: Arsace, oh Dio! cosi (This was Arsaces'
guilty Part) (Rosmira)
06. Partenope, HWV 27: Act III Scene 2: Chi m' apre i lumi, e che mi scioglie il
Core? (What Power has undeceived me, and unchained My captive Heart?)
(Partenope, Emilio, Armindo)
07. Partenope, HWV 27: Act III Scene 2: Spera e godi o mio Tesoro (Joys attend
my dearest Treasure) (Partenope)
08. Partenope, HWV 27: Act III Scene 3: Prencipe ardir (Now, Prince, be
resolute) (Emilio, Armindo, Rosmira, Arsace)
09. Partenope, HWV 27: Act III Scene 3: La Speme ti consoli (May pleasing Hope
your Cares control) (Emilio)
10. Partenope, HWV 27: Act III Scene 4: Rosmira, ove ti guida (Where, my
Rosmira, does thay Tyrant rage?) (Arsace, Rosmira)
11. Partenope, HWV 27: Act III Scene 4: Ch' Io parta? si crudele (And must I,
cruel Maid, depart?) (Arsace)
12. Partenope, HWV 27: Act III Scene 4: Oh Dio! perche dal petto (Oh Heavens!
methinks I feel my struggling Heart) (Rosmira)
13. Partenope, HWV 27: Act III Scene 4: Quel volto mi piace (His lovely Frame my
Fancy charms) (Rosmira)
14. Partenope, HWV 27: Act III Scene 5: Ormonte, ti destino (Ormontes, you I
constitute the Judge) (Partenope, Ormonte, Armindo)
15. Partenope, HWV 27: Act III Scene 5: Nobil Core, che ben ama (A noble Heart
that fondly loves) (Armindo)
16. Partenope, HWV 27: Act III Scene 6: Non chiedo, oh miei tormenti! (I ask ye
not, ye Woes I bear) (Arsace)
17. Partenope, HWV 27: Act III Scene 6: Ma quai note di mesti lamenti (What
Notes that mourn in such a solemn Sound) (Arsace)
18. Partenope, HWV 27: Act III Scene 7: Cieli che miro! abbandonato e solo
(Heavens! What do I behold!) (Rosmira)
19. Partenope, HWV 27: Act III Scene 8: Ma Partenope vien, finger degg' Io
(Parthenope approaches, I must feign) (Rosmira, Partenope, Arsace)
20. Partenope, HWV 27: Act III Scene 8: Un Cor infedele (The Heart whose Love
was never true) (Partenope, Arsace, Rosmira)
21. Partenope, HWV 27: Act III Scene 8: Passo di duolo in duolo (From Grief to
Grief I make my fatal Progress) (Arsace)
22. Partenope, HWV 27: Act III Scene 8: Fatto e Amor un Dio d' Inferno
(Tyrannick Love is justly made A God of the Infernal Shade) (Arsace)
23. Partenope, HWV 27: Act III Scene 9: Di bel Desire avvampo (I'm all impatient
to defend Arsaces) (Emilio, Armindo)
24. Partenope, HWV 27: Act III Scene 9: La Gloria in nobil alma (True Glory in a
gallant Breast) (Emilio)
25. Partenope, HWV 27: Act III Scene 9: Sinfonia
26. Partenope, HWV 27: Act III Last Scene: Regina, in queste arene (Great Queen)
(Ormonte, Partenope, Emilio, Rosmira, Armindo, Arsace)
27. Partenope, HWV 27: Act III Last Scene: Si scherza si (Love wantons with a
double Flame) (Partenope)
28. Partenope, HWV 27: Act III Last Scene: Armindo sia mio Sposo (Armindo, I
receive you for my Spouse) (Partenope, Armindo, Arsace, Rosmira)
29. Partenope, HWV 27: Act III Last Scene: D' Imeneo le belle Sede (May Hymen's
lovely Taper blaze) (Chorus)

Handel composed Partenope for the 1730 London season, less than a year into the
so-called 'Second Academy' period in which he enjoyed increased artistic control
over his productions. Partenope was a subject he had long coveted and with a new
troupe of singers, less starry than before, he seems to have relished the chance
to tone down the rattling virtuosity in favour of a more 'company' feel, and
with it a more genuine and subtle mode of expression. He was helped by a strong
libretto which is well set-out, humane with a touch of gentle humour, and
features characters who are lifelike and credible.
Partenope, Queen of Naples, is wooed by three suitors – the overly proud enemy
general Emilio, the mopy but deserving Armindo, and her own favourite, Arsace.
Arsace, however, is tormented by the woman he left behind, Rosmira, who is
hanging around and making mischief disguised as a man. Eventually, and after
much soul-searching, Arsace forces her to reveal her identity by challenging her
to a bare-chest duel (which she declines). The couple are reunited, Partenope
settles for Armindo, and Emilio accepts his rejection philosophically. Christian
Curnyn conducts a highly competent performance thoroughly in the groove of
modern Handelian style, with a cast that has no vocal weaknesses and many
dramatic virtues: Rosemary Joshua as Partenope and Hilary Summers as Rosmira
have the most technically demanding music, but Joshua's brightly confident
singing also effortlessly suggests a woman both regal and desirable, while the
dark-voiced Summers sounds like someone not to be messed with. Lawrence Zazzo
conveys well the deepening suffering of Arsace, Stephen Wallace shows us the
emerging nobility of Armindo, and if Kurt Streit sounds rather like a tenor
stepping out of his usual Mozartian realm, then as the pompous Emilio he does
need to be a little out of step with the others and his voice and Italian
diction are both irresistibly splendid. In general the singing has a warmth to
it, and although there are times when the recitatives could make room for more
dramatic flexibility and conviction, this is nevertheless a thoroughly
recommendable release for Baroque opera fans. 




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