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Conductor Ensemble ComposerNotes & Reviews:
Alan Curtis, described by the New York Times as "one of the great scholar-musicians of recent times", conducts a brilliant cast including Sonia Prina, Ann Hallenberg, Max-Emanuel Cencic and Topi Lehtipuu in Gluck's Ezio. Described by Curtis as "from a dramatic point of view, perhaps the finest of Gluck's pre-Orfeo operas," this recording presents the original version of Ezio, which received its premiere in Prague in 1750. Written to a libretto by the prolific and influential Metastasio, Ezio exemplifies the formal opera seria that Gluck sought to leave behind with his so-called reform operas such as Orfeo and Alceste. However, after Orfeo's epoch-making premiere in Vienna in 1762 he revised Ezio in the reform opera style for performance at the city's Burgtheater in 1763.
"While the libretto by Metastasio suggests a conventional opera seria, anyone looking for a foretaste of Gluck’s poetic late style will not be disappointed." -The Financial Times
"Curtis’s prima donna and primo uomo are the clinchers, with Sonia Prina a wonderfully affecting Ezio and the musically impeccable Ann Hallenberg as his beloved Fulvia. Topi Lehtipuu is a bland villain, but sings stylishly." -The Sunday Times
"[Curtis] goes about his missionary work with the same combination of scrupulous attention to scholarly detail and finely honed dramatic nous already familiar from his Handel recordings." -The Guardian
"It’s an opera full of coloratura showcases, sophisticated harmonic ideas and great theatricality. Under Alan Curtis’s expert direction the playing is sinuous and spirited, and most of the singing forthright and virtuosic — though Topi Lehtipuu steals the show with his honeyed Se povero il ruscello" -The Times
Notes & Reviews:Recording information: Théâtre de Poissy (12/18/2008).
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Works Details
Gluck, Christoph Willibald : Ezio, opera in 3 acts, Wq. 15 - Conductor: Alan Curtis
- Ensemble: Il Complesso Barocco
- Running Time: 98 min. 20 sec.
- Period Time: Classical
- Form: Opera/Operetta
