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Monteverdi - L'Orfeo / Rolfe Johnson, Dawson, von Otter, Argenta, M. Nichols, Tomlinson, Chance, Baird; Gardiner | 
 enlarge | Artists: Claudio Monteverdi, John Eliot Gardiner, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Lynne Dawson, His Majesty's Sackbutts And Cornetts, English Baroque Soloists, Monteverdi Choir, Nancy Argenta, Anne Sofie Von Otter, Julianne Baird, Mary Nichols, Simon Birchall, John Tomlinson, Michael Chance, Mark Turner, Howard Milner
Label: Archiv Produktion
Category: Music
List Price: $33.98
Buy New: $23.98
You Save: $10.00 (29%)
New (35) Used (9) from $14.95
Avg. Customer Rating:  9 reviews
Sales Rank: 88193
Format: Box Set
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 2
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 5.8 x 5 x 1.3
MPN: 419250
UPC: 028941925022
EAN: 0028941925022
ASIN: B0000057CV
Release Date: October 25, 1990
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand new CDs. Fast shipping!
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| Tracks:
Disc 1
| • | Toccata | | • | Prologo: Dal mio Permesso | | • | Act I: In questo lieto e fortunato giorno/Vieni, Imeneo/Muse, onor di Parnaso | | • | Act I: Balletto: Lasciate i monti/Ma tu, gentil cantor | | • | Act I: Rosa del ciel/Io non diro qual sia/Balletto: Lasciate i monti/Vieni, Imeneo | | • | Act I: Ma se il nostro gioir/Ecco Orfeo, cui pur | | • | Act II: Sinfonia - Ecco pur ch'a voi ritorno | | • | Act II: Mira che se n'alletta/Dunque fa degni, Orfeo | | • | Act II: Vi ricorda, o bosch'ombrosi | | • | Act II: Ahi, caso acerbo/In un fiorito prato | | • | Act II: Ahi, caso acerbo/Ma io, che in questa lingua | | • | Act II: Sinfonia - Chi ne consola, ahi lassi?/Ahi, caso acerbo/Ma dove, ah dove/Ahi, caso acerbo |
Disc 2
| • | Act III: Sinfonia - Scorto da te, mio Nume/Ecco Patra palude/Dove, ah dove ten vai | | • | Act III: O tu, ch'inanzi morte | | • | Act III: Possente spirto | | • | Act III: Ben mi lusinga/Ahi, sventurato amante/Ei dorme, e la mia cetra | | • | Act III: Nulla impresa per uom | | • | Act IV: Signor, quel infelice/Benche severo/O degli abitator/Quali grazie ti rendo/Tue soavi parole | | • | Act IV: Pietade, oggi, e amore/Ecco il gentil cantor | | • | Act IV: Qual onor di te/O dolcissimi lumi/Rotto hai la legge | | • | Act IV: Ahi, vista troppo dolce/Torn'a l'ombra/Dove ten vai | | • | Act IV: E la virtute un raggio | | • | Act V: Questi i campi di Tracia | | • | Act V: Sinfonia - Perche a lo sdegno | | • | Act V: Vanne Orfeo | | • | Act V: Moresca |
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| Similar Items:
| • | Monteverdi - Vespers of 1610 (Vespro della Beata Vergine) / Chandler, R. Croft, Atkinson, Numura, Boston Baroque, Pearlman | | • | Monteverdi - L'incoronazione di Poppea / McNair, von Otter, Hanchard, Chance; Gardiner | | • | Purcell: Dido and Aeneas / James, Lewis, Baker, Herincx | | • | Monteverdi: Vespro Della Beata Vergine | | • | Monteverdi: Vespro della Beata Vergine 1610/Venetian Vespers |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com essential recording
History's first great opera--the story of Orpheus descending to Hades to retrieve his bride Eurydice from the dead, only to lose her again--gets a fine performance (the best overall version currently available) from John Eliot Gardiner and his musicians. Anthony Rolfe Johnson performs the title role with all the beautiful sound you'd expect from an Orfeo; he negotiates virtuoso passages flawlessly and sings passionately without overwhelming Monteverdi's music with too much voice. Julianne Baird as Eurydice and Anne Sofie Von Otter in a gripping appearance as the Messenger are the standouts in a cast without a weak link. Everyone involved, including the chorus and orchestra, performs with such energy, beauty, and precision that even long stretches of recitative never pall. --Matthew Westphal
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| Customer Reviews: Read 4 more reviews...
Monteverdi - L'Orfeo / Rolfe Johnson, Dawson, von Otter, Argenta, M. Nichols, Tomlinson, Chance, Baird; Gardiner October 11, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Monteverdi - L'Orfeo / Rolfe Johnson, Dawson, von Otter, Argenta, M. Nichols, Tomlinson, Chance, Baird; Gardiner is a splenid recording with the Monteverdi Choir, The English Baroque Soloist and His Majesties Sagbutts & Cornetts under the guidance of John Elliot Gardiner. Archiv Prouktion have done a great job with the sound quality and it truly sounds as if one is hearing this in person. The book-let is of a very high quality and one must say that Gardiner picked some amazing singers (Willard White and Ann Sofie Von Otter). The book-let is a massiv 124 pages long and is filled with many fine photographs, an excellent essay written Gardiner and the complete lyrics. This is a recording not to be missed. 5 well deserved stars.
Great recording of a beautiful opera March 29, 2007
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Gardiner's recording of L'Orfeo is exquisite. The samples of different tracks as well as other listeners' reviews were very influential in my decision to purchase these CDs rather than a different recording of the opera. I am very happy with my new CDs and would highly recommend this product.
a voice teacher and early music fan May 13, 2006
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
MONTEVERDI'S MUSIC SUPERBLY PERFORMED UNDER GARDINER'S EXPERT GUIDANCE.
This opera in performance is begun by the character "La Musica", or music personified ,who delivers a long treatise which in essence proclaims how music can do many things to us emotionally. As this "fable of music" (Monteverdi called it) unfolds we are exposed to the whole gamut of human emotions,from the most euphoric to the most dejected,presented in musical language that is perhaps closer to impassioned speech than recitative has ever been, before or since. The fact that Monteverdi's L'Orfeo has been referred to as the "first true opera in the history of music" has much to do with the fact that Monteverdi had the dramatic ability to synthesize the text, the stage and the music. And it was a favourable time historically and musically to do so. Moreover, he gave very specific directions as to how it would be put together.
And what better musician to record it than John Eliot Gardiner. He has gathered together a wonderful group of soloists in every role; although some parts are small each contribution is perfection which makes for a superb offering to the listener!!!!!In addition, I think the Choral singing was so superior to some other recordings past and present. If you are an early music fan these discs will be truly "music to your ears".
Gardiner and crew are amazing! September 17, 2005
8 out of 10 found this review helpful
I am not a big fan of Gardiner when it comes to some music, for instance Bach. I just think others do it better. However, Gardiner is a fine conductor of Monteverdi and this recording shows it. If you are not familiar with Baroque opera and want to find out how a first rate crew of performers sound with a major work of early opera, this is a great recording with which to start!
One of the most beautiful operas of all time September 10, 2005
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
This recording of Monteverdi's L'Orfeo is truly a spectacular work. I didn't really care for Baroque opera before I heard this. But now Monteverdi is my favorite operatic composer. Not only is the music beautiful but the singers are absolutely stunning. Anthony Rolfe Johnson is absolutely perfect for the title role. His soft yet clear tenor voice shows the passion and the emotion that Orfeo has for Eurydice. Lynne Dawson who sings La Musica has a good voice for introducing the opera. Anne Sofie von Otter who plays Messaggiera, has such a sorrowful and sad voice for her role which makes it all the more better. But the absolute best singer on this recording is John Tomlinson who sings Caronte or the Charon. John Tomlinson is also the voice of the Commendatore in the movie Amadeus. But his deep bass makes you wonder if its at all possible to get past him. But that's not the best part of the opera. The best part about the whole recording is the choir. All the choruses are to die for, especially the chorus "Lasicate i monti." It almost makes one want to dance. But I definitely reccommend this recording to all Baroque opera lovers, even for those who don't like opera.
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