Giuseppina Bridelli - Duel. Porpora and Handel in London (2019) [Official Digital Download 24/88]

Despite the rivalry between the operatic companies leaded by Haendel and Porpora in London (1734-1737), much has to be said about the real nature of the connection between the two composers. Both the musicians were considered outstandingly original for their aesthetic choices. Both admired each other's music. The few whirlwind years of their defiance in Great Britain produced memorable scores: among them, Ariodante by Haendel and Polifemo by Porpora, performed with simultaneous runs in the city theaters. The fight between the two operatic company was an opportunity for the composers to meet and discover each other, to deal with the taste of the audience and to experiment new ideas, getting strength from the incredible skills of the members of the vocal casts (Farinelli, Senesino, Carestini, etc.). This CD tries to capture the soul of such a complicated intellectual relationship, presenting significant exemples of the composers' style and outlining the borders of the mutual esteem between two giants in the history of music. On her debut solo album, the young talented mezzosoprano Giuseppina Bridelli performs with effortless bravery the difficult pages written for some of the most famous singers of the 18th century: between them, a version with original variations of Haendel Scherza infida.

Tracklist:
1. Alcina, HWV 34: Sta nell'ircana pietrosa tana
2. Arianna in Naxo: Nume che reggi 'l mare
3. David e Bersabea: Dolce è su queste alte mie logge a sera
4. David e Bersabea: Fu del braccio onnipotente
5. Polifemo, ouverture: I. Ouverture
6. Polifemo, ouverture: II. Allegro
7. Polifemo, ouverture: III. […]
8. Calcante e Achille: A questa man verrà9Ariodante, HWV 33: Scherza infida
10. Polifemo: Il gioir qualor s'aspetta
11. Ariodante, HWV 33, suite de ballet: I. Entrée des songes agréables
12. Ariodante, HWV 33, suite de ballet: II. Entrée des songes funestes
13. Ariodante, HWV 33, suite de ballet: III. Entrée des songes agréables effrayés
14. Ariodante, HWV 33, suite de ballet: IV: Le combat des songes funestes et agréables
15. Mitridate: Alza al soglio i guardi
16. Tolomeo, HWV 25: Inumano fratel, barbara madre
17. Tolomeo, HWV 25: Stille amare, già vi sento
18. Catone in Utica, HWV A7: Quando piomba improvvisa saetta

Personnel:
Giuseppina Bridelli, mezzo-soprano
Le Concert de l'Hostel Dieu
Franck-Emmanuel Comte, direction