Porpora/Caldara/Handel

Here is the only chamber cantata on disc of the 132 by Nicola Porpora. If it lacks the drama and musical direction of Handel’s Mi palpita il cor, the opening melancholy arioso is arresting. Performance is deliberate – rhythms stolid, phrases short-breathed – Jacobs (recorded in 1974) taking circuitous routes to high notes. Caldara evokes delightful voice and violin dialogue, and searingly passionate cello obbligato. There is neither text nor translation to clarify the subtle marriage of words and music. George Pratt

Our rating

2

Published: January 20, 2012 at 2:39 pm

COMPOSERS: Porpora/Caldara/Handel
LABELS: Sony Seon
WORKS: Or che una nube ingrata; Vicino a un rivoletto; Mi palpita il cor
PERFORMER: René Jacobs (countertenor), instrumental soloists, Gustav Leonhardt (harpsichord)
CATALOGUE NO: SBK 63181 ADD 1974

Here is the only chamber cantata on disc of the 132 by Nicola Porpora. If it lacks the drama and musical direction of Handel’s Mi palpita il cor, the opening melancholy arioso is arresting. Performance is deliberate – rhythms stolid, phrases short-breathed – Jacobs (recorded in 1974) taking circuitous routes to high notes. Caldara evokes delightful voice and violin dialogue, and searingly passionate cello obbligato. There is neither text nor translation to clarify the subtle marriage of words and music. George Pratt

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