VIVICA GENAUX - Handel & Hasse Arias

Product Description

Famed American mezzo-soprano Vivica Genaux once again dazzles with the force and beauty of her instrument. Supported by the French-Canadian Les Violons du Roy, a Quebec-based Baroque string ensemble under the guidance of Bernard Labadie, the works of Handel and Hasse come to life as never before. Genaux performs two selections from George Frideric Handel’s ‘Orlando,’ one from ‘Alcina,’ and a cantata from 1711 - enveloping the listener in a variety of soundscapes. From the lesser-known Johann Adolph Hasse, whose music Genaux desires to revive, we have three arias from his opera ‘Arminio’ and a cantata. The music on ‘Opera Arias,’ written originally with castrato (castrated male singers) in mind, are wildly difficult, and require the utmost in precision, skill and vocal ability. Genaux handles them all flawlessly - and it is a performance no fan will want to miss.