Vivaldi - sinfonie d'opera - I Virtuosi Delle Muse, Molardi

The works on this disc span 20 years of Vivaldi's career as an opera composer, from the ouverture of Arsilda (1716) to the sinfonia that opens Griselda (1735). Also included are two of Vivaldi's string sinfonias RV 112 and 137, which the ensemble's director, Stefano Molardi, argues in his scholarly booklet notes were originally the overtures to Orlando finto pazzo and another unknown stage work.

The performances by I Virtuosi delle Muse, directed by Molardi from the harpsichord, are superb. Most notable are the ensemble's rich but subtly graded palette of colours (to accord with Charles de Brosses' enthusiastic observations after hearing Vivaldi and his orchestra in Venice), rhythmic vitality and atmospheric renditions of the slow movements. This last quality is enhanced by the surprising appearance of the viola d'amore among the strings, which Molardi believes often participated in 17th and 18th century Venetian orchestral ensembles.

The resulting harmonic richness is enhanced by the excellent sound quality of the recording.


Tracklist

01. L'Olimpiade, RV 725: Sinfonia: I. Allegro
02. L'Olimpiade, RV 725: Sinfonia: II. Andante
03. L'Olimpiade, RV 725: Sinfonia: III. Allegro moderato
04. L'Olimpiade, RV 725: Sinfonia: IV. Allegro molto
05. L'incoronazione di Dario, RV 719: Sinfonia: I. Allegro
06. L'incoronazione di Dario, RV 719: Sinfonia: II. [Andante]
07. L'incoronazione di Dario, RV 719: Sinfonia: III. Presto
08. Giustino, RV 717: Sinfonia: I. Allegro
09. Giustino, RV 717: Sinfonia: II. Andante
10. Giustino, RV 717: Sinfonia: III. Allegro
11. Concerto for Strings in F major, RV 137: I. Allegro
12. Concerto for Strings in F major, RV 137: II. Andante
13. Concerto for Strings in F major, RV 137: III. Presto
14. Armida al campo d'Egitto, RV 699: Sinfonia: I. Allegro
15. Armida al campo d'Egitto, RV 699: Sinfonia: II. Andante
16. Armida al campo d'Egitto, RV 699: Sinfonia: III. Allegro
17. Arsilda, regina di Ponto, RV 700: Sinfonia: I. Allegro
18. Arsilda, regina di Ponto, RV 700: Sinfonia: II. Andante
19. Arsilda, regina di Ponto, RV 700: Sinfonia: III. Presto
20. La Senna festeggiante, RV 693: Ouverture: Part I: Allegro
21. La Senna festeggiante, RV 693: Ouverture: Part I: Andante molto
22. La Senna festeggiante, RV 693: Ouverture: Part I: Allegro molto
23. La Senna festeggiante, RV 693: Ouverture: Part II: Adagio
24. La Senna festeggiante, RV 693: Ouverture: Part II: Presto
25. La Senna festeggiante, RV 693: Ouverture: Part II: Allegro molto
26. Sinfonia in C major, RV 112: I. Allegro
27. Sinfonia in C major, RV 112: II. Andante
28. Sinfonia in C major, RV 112: III. Presto
29. La fida ninfa, RV 714, Act III: Allegro
30. Griselda, RV 718: Sinfonia: I. Allegro
31. Griselda, RV 718: Sinfonia: II. Andante
32. Griselda, RV 718: Sinfonia: III. Minuet
33. Dorilla in Tempe, RV 709: Sinfonia: I. Allegro
34. Dorilla in Tempe, RV 709: Sinfonia: II. Andante
35. Dorilla in Tempe, RV 709: Sinfonia: III. Allegro


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