<<  -- 2 --  Maria Nockin    TONAL BEAUTY

Since the founding of Europa Galante in 1989, Biondi and the members of his orchestra have established a fine reputation for themselves. They play works from the baroque and classical periods on original instruments, and present some of the world's finest singers of florid music when they work in opera.

Although Biondi conducts from the violin, he always manages to keep both the instrumentalists and singers well synchronized. His fioriture are the types of ornaments that were heard when this music was first played, and he uses them in such a way that the line of the original piece is never distorted. Best of all in this boldly dramatic work, he always maintains sufficient tension.

Bass-baritone Ildebrando d'Archangelo gives a charismatic portrayal of the Turkish Sultan Bajazet and he sings with burnished dramatic tones. His rendition of 'Dov'è la figlia' [listen -- CD2 track 10, 0:00-1:19], an aria originally from Vivaldi's Motezuma, is absolutely stunning. Renowned countertenor David Daniels is an intense, golden voiced Tamerlane [listen -- CD2 track 16, 0:00-1:15]. His dramatic vocal colorations leave no one in doubt that as Emperor of the Tartars he can command an army. Patrizia Ciofi is a relatively new artist, but she has already established a reputation as a splendid lyric soprano. As Idaspe, her vocal acting is skillful and she sings Vivaldi's ornamented, fast flowing lines with seeming ease [listen -- CD1 track 7, 0:55-2:05].

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