Stefano Landi - Il Sant'Alessio

Stefano Landi, who was Monteverdi's junior by about 20 years, was active in Rome, whereas Monteverdi was based in Venice. Landi spent two formative years in Venice, though, and absorbed the progressive musical ideas of Monteverdi and other seconda prattica composers. That contact would explain why Il Sant'Alessio (1632) sounds like a Monteverdi opera. Its expressive recitatives, melodically gratifying set pieces, mixture of serious and comic elements, and the complex psychology of its characters make it a piece that should appeal to opera fans who love L'incoronazione di Poppea.
Il Sant'Alessio was the first opera based on historical events, the life and death of a fifth century saint, rather than on mythology. (It doesn't skirt the need early opera audiences seemed to have had to include supernatural or allegorical characters, but in this case they are the Devil and Religion.) It also has the distinction of being the earliest surviving opera to have a truly great comic scene; the duet of the Pages Curtio and Martio, "Poca voglia di far bene," shows Landi to be a master of expressing humor in music. Other musical highlights include Alessio's final aria; the trio of Alessio's father, mother, and wife mourning his death; and the radiant final scene. William Christie leads Les Arts Florissants in a splendid performance that's notable for its theatrical pacing and impassioned musicality. The soloists are consistently excellent, singing with pure tone, agility, and breathtaking dramatic intensity. Among the fine cast, soprano Patricia Petibon as the Saint, soprano Maryseult Wieczorek as Roma and Religion, and bass Clive Bayley as the Devil deserve special recognition.

Disc 1

1 - Prologo. Sinfonia
2 - Prologo. Coro. Chioro giorno lieta sorte
3 - Prologo. Ritornello e Roma. Né fur solo i miei Figli
4 - Prologo. Coro. Già fastosa Guerriera
5 - Act 1. Scene 1. Dopo tant'anni al fine
6 - Act 1. Scene 1. Era la notte
7 - Act 1. Scene 2. Sopra salde colonne
8 - Act 1. Scene 2. Arietta a una voce. Se l'hore volano
9 - Act 1. Scene 3. Arietta a due voci. Poca voglia di far bene
10 - Act 1. Scene 3. Ma colà mesto
11 - Act 1. Scene 4. Coro. Si disserrino
12 - Act 1. Scene 4. Dalla notte profonda / Sdegno horribile
13 - Act 1. Scene 5. Deh raffrenate
14 - Act 1. Scene 5. Amara, invida Notte
15 - Act 1. Scene 5. Hoimè quel sospirar
16 - Act 1. Scene 5. Coro. Dovunque stassi
17 - Act 1. Scene 5. Coro. Con miserabil sorte
18 - Act 1. Scene 5. Scena aggiunta per introdutione di un ballo. La più bella che sia
19 - Act 2. Sinfonia
20 - Act 2. Scene 1. O Tè felice
21 - Act 2. Scene 2. Propitia arride
22 - Act 2. Scene 3. A Dio Tebro
23 - Act 2. Scene 4. Mà che più tardo / Affretta il piè
24 - Act 2. Scene 4. Hor non mi manchi il Ciel

Disc 2

1 - Act 2. Scene 5. Alessio che farai?
2 - Act 2. Scene 6. Humil servo
3 - Act 2. Scene 7. Alessio, Alessio, a mè rivolgi il guardo
4 - Act 2. Scene 7. O Morte gradita
5 - Act 2. Scene 8. Già con desir costante
6 - Act 2. Scene 9. Io di vera pietà Madre
7 - Act 2. Scene 9. Quei, che sospirano
8 - Act 2. Scene 10. Tal'hor che men s'attende
9 - Act 2. Scene 10. Rassereniamo il cor con lieti auspici / Questo Egeo, ch'è stabil campo
10 - Act 2. Scene 10. Coro. Il Ciel pietoso
11 - Act 3. Sinfonia
12 - Act 3. Scene 1. Mal si resiste a fermo core
13 - Act 3. Scene 2. Dovunque io volgo il ciglio
14 - Act 3. Scene 2. Eccomi pronto; ascolta
15 - Act 3. Scene 3. Ohimè ch'un'hora sola
16 - Act 3. Scene 3. O mia cieca follia
17 - Act 3. Scene 3. O Luci voi
18 - Act 3. Scene 3. Foglio, ch'in tè racchiudi
19 - Act 3. Scene 3. O pianti, o doglie estreme
20 - Act 3. Scene 4. Coro. Lasciate il pianto
21 - Act 3. Scene 4. O mia Consorte
22 - Act 3. Scene 5. Vive Alessio
23 - Act 3. Scene 5. Coro. Il Ciel vagheggia
24 - Act 3. Scene 5. Balletto delle virtù. Godi pur alma gradita