Nicola Porpora (1686-1768)
ORLANDO
Version in four parts by Juan Bautista Otero according "Orlando furioso" by Ludovico Ariosto
performed by
Robert Expert, countertenor (Orlando)
Olga Pitarch, soprano (Medoro)
Betsabee Haas, soprano (Angelica)
Real Compania Opera de Camara
(on period instruments)
Juan Bautista Otero, dir.
Edition: K617 2005
Recording: La Chapelle Royale du Palais Royal d'Aranjuez, Spain, 5/2005
TT: 121'06''
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'Orlando' is an operatic masterpiece by the Neapolitan Composer Nicola
Porpora (1686-1768) who left an indelible mark on the 18th century and
the careers of its greatest masters, from Hasse, Jommelli and Handel to
Joseph Haydn, who was his pupil in Vienna. Against the background of the
old Carolingian epic, the valiant knight Roland is transformed here
into a lover before becoming 'Orlando furioso' in this encounter of
three mythical figures: Ariosto, Metastasio and Porpora. The gamut runs
from epic to tragedy in this vibrant, crackling performance under the
inspired direction of Juan Bautista Otero.
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