Farinelli - A Portrait
Live in Bergen
Ann Hallenberg (mezzo-soprano)
Les Talens Lyriques, Christophe Rousset
Awards:
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BBC Music Magazine, March 2017, Opera Choice
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Opera, February 2017, Recording of the Month
Hallenberg is a force of nature, in stark contrast to the synthetic singing of the film, for which sound engineers fuse a mezzo with a male alto voice. Hallenberg’s voice is unmistakably her...
Farinelli - A Portrait
Live in Bergen
Ann Hallenberg (mezzo-soprano)
Les Talens Lyriques, Christophe Rousset
Purchase product
Awards:
-
BBC Music Magazine, March 2017, Opera Choice
-
Opera, February 2017, Recording of the Month
Hallenberg is a force of nature, in stark contrast to the synthetic singing of the film, for which sound engineers fuse a mezzo with a male alto voice. Hallenberg’s voice is unmistakably her...
About
With more than a million copies sold, the soundtrack of Gérard Corbiau's film 'Farinelli' contributed considerably to the international renown of Les Talens Lyriques, in 1994. Back then the voice of the castrato Carlo Broschi, known as Farinelli (1705-1782), was created using a computer to mix the voices of countertenor Derek Lee Ragin and soprano Ewa Mallas-Godlewska. On stage, in 2011, rather than a falsettist, world-renowned mezzo Ann Hallenberg,was chosen by Christophe Rousset to portray the first rock star in the history of music. "The magic of the film came about thanks to a gripping human story, reinforced by music that was equally gripping," resumes Christophe Rousset, music director and conductor of the production. The idea for this programme, recorded in concert in Bergen, was to mix the emblematic arias of the film with other works from Farinelli's repertoire and relate the two periods of his career: the first, virtuosic and flamboyant, where the character accumulated as many ducats as vocalises; and a second, melancholic, introverted and sensitive.
The libretto relates the exciting life of the infamous castrato, crisscrossing Europe on concert tours, giving performances acclaimed by royalty and an adoring public alike.
Contents and tracklist
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Awards and reviews
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BBC Music MagazineMarch 2017Opera Choice
-
OperaFebruary 2017Recording of the Month
March 2017
Hallenberg is a force of nature, in stark contrast to the synthetic singing of the film, for which sound engineers fuse a mezzo with a male alto voice. Hallenberg’s voice is unmistakably her own, and the crackling tension of live performance fills every phrase. Her swaggering fireworks culminate in a final aria of almost ludicrous velocity. Her lyricism is equally powerful, thanks partly to Rousset. Creating hushed silence or soft tremolos, he subtly makes space for her vocal entries and colours
February 2017
passaggi are articulated with glittering accuracy, ornaments (including trills) are executed with a natural spontaneity, the wide gamut is encompassed with equal comfort across the range, and chest notes are projected with real strength … Rousset and Les Talens Lyriques provide top-notch support throughout…[a] glorious disc
26th January 2017
A riproaring Son qual nave, by Farinelli’s composer brother Riccardo Broschi, is immediately followed by a low-lying aria by Giacomelli, which Hallenberg spins into gorgeously long, mellow lines; Cervo in Bosco from Catone’s Arbace seems designed to show there’s nothing she can’t do.
13th January 2017
The castrato was adored for his breath control, florid passagework and virtuosic range...the mezzo shows off all these assets as well as a deliciously fruity, rounded tone.
