VIVICA GENAUX - ARIAS (3 CDS)

Something special happens when she starts to sing - something that sets off a thrill..." wrote Opera News of Vivica Genaux.

This collection of three recitals showcases the virtuosity, elegance and expressivity of the Alaska-born mezzo-soprano in repertoire that has proved central to her career: Vivaldi, Handel, Rossini and Donizetti and - a composer she has championed - Johann Adolph Hasse. The recitals in this box were recorded in 2003 (Rossini/Donizetti), 2006 (Handel/Hasse) and 2009 (Vivaldi: Pyrotechnics). It was in Rossini that Vivica Genaux first made her name, particularly as Rosina in Il barbiere de Siviglia. Writing about this Rossini arias album, Time Out New York hailed Genaux "the most exciting singer in the world. Sinewy but lithe, her voice encompasses a wine-rich chest register, juiced up with just enough testosterone to keep things interesting, as well as luminous high notes that would do many a soprano proud." The first Baroque role that Vivica Genaux sung was in Handel's Ariodante, but she went on to make a particular specialty of the music of Hasse. Reviewing this album, Gramophone wrote: "Three well-crafted arias from Hasse's Arminio are ideal fare for Genaux's pinpoint accuracy and florid ornamentation." Of the album 'Pyrotechnics', Vivaldi expert Frédéric Delamea wrote: "The dazzling arias in this program - some of which have never been recorded or, indeed, performed in concert - illustrate the different phases and forms of Vivaldian pyrotechnics, exploring every emotion and the most diverse dramatic situations, and continually varying instrumentation, tonality and tempo.

Handel: Fammi Combattere (Orlando)
Vivica Genaux (mezzo)

Handel: Ah Stigie larve! (from Orlando)
Vivica Genaux (mezzo)

Handel: Sta nell'Ircana pietrosa tana (from Alcina)
Vivica Genaux (mezzo)

Handel: Splenda l’alba in oriente, cantata, HWV 166
Vivica Genaux (mezzo)
Les Violons du Roy
Bernard Labadie

Hasse, J A: Ti lascio in ceppi avvinto (from Arminio)
Vivica Genaux (mezzo)

Hasse, J A: Se mia speranza sola (from Arminio)
Vivica Genaux (mezzo)

Hasse, J A: Vaghi rai, pupille amate (from Arminio)
Vivica Genaux (mezzo)

Hasse, J A: No, perdonami, O Clori…Trova un sol (from Arminio)
Vivica Genaux (mezzo)

Hasse, J A: Placati, o Pastorella…Torna in quell'onda chiara (from Arminio)
Vivica Genaux (mezzo)
Les Violons du Roy
Bernard Labadie

Vivaldi: Come in vano il mar irato (from Catone in Utica)
Vivica Genaux (mezzo)

Vivaldi: E prigioniero e re (from Semiramide)
Vivica Genaux (mezzo)

Vivaldi: Alma oppressa (from La Fida Ninfa)
Vivica Genaux (mezzo)

Vivaldi: Griselda: Agitata da due venti
Vivica Genaux (mezzo)

Vivaldi: Destin nemico...Destin avaro (from La fida ninfa)
Vivica Genaux (mezzo)

Vivaldi: Il labbro ti lusinga
Vivica Genaux (mezzo)

Vivaldi: Vibro il ferro
Vivica Genaux (mezzo)

Vivaldi: Quell'usignolo (from Farnace)
Vivica Genaux (mezzo)

Vivaldi: Splender fra 'l cieco orror (from Tito Manlio)
Vivica Genaux (mezzo)

Vivaldi: Vorrei dirti il mio dolore (from Rosmira fedele)
Vivica Genaux (mezzo)

Vivaldi: Nella foresta (from Catone in Utica)
Vivica Genaux (mezzo)

Vivaldi: Ricordati che sei (from Farnace)
Vivica Genaux (mezzo)

Vivaldi: Sin nel placido soggiorno
Vivica Genaux (mezzo)
Europa Galante
Fabio Biondi

Rossini: Nacqui all'affanno, al pianto...Non più mesta (from La Cenerentola)
Vivica Genaux (mezzo)

Rossini: Cruda sorte! Amor tiranno! (from L'Italiana in Algeri)
Vivica Genaux (mezzo)

Rossini: Pronti abbiamo...Amici in ogni evento...Pensa alla patria (from L'Italiana in Algeri)
Vivica Genaux (mezzo)

Rossini: Una voce poco fa (from Il barbiere di Siviglia)
Vivica Genaux (mezzo)

Rossini: In si barbara sciagura (from Semiramide)
Vivica Genaux (mezzo)

Rossini: Mura felici (from La donna del lago)
Vivica Genaux (mezzo)
Ensemble Orchestral de Paris
John Nelson

Donizetti: Nella fatal di Rimini (from Lucrezia Borgia)
Vivica Genaux (mezzo)

Donizetti: Il segreto per esser felici (from Lucrezia Borgia)
Vivica Genaux (mezzo)

Donizetti: Popolo, amici, sanguinosi allori...Ah si, da tanti affani (from Alahor in Granada)
Vivica Genaux (mezzo)

Donizetti: E sgombro il loco...Un bacio ancora (from Anna Bolena)
Vivica Genaux (mezzo)
Ensemble Orchestral de Paris
John Nelson