Scarlatti / Nuvol / Frisani Giuditta CD

As Gramophone noted of a recent Brilliant Classics issue, 'Est?van Velardi and the Alessandro Scarlatti Consort have notched up an impressively broad discography of unjustly neglected Italian Baroque masters.' This release presents a reissue of a recording made in 1995, the premiere for Giuditta. This is a two-act oratorio composed by Alessandro Scarlatti, who has been the particular focus of Velardi's work on record, encompassing other treasurable discoveries issued on Brilliant Classics such as the Oratorio per La Santissima Trinit?, Il dolore di Maria Vergine and San Filippo Neri, which was welcomed by Gramophone for 'Velardi's admirable zeal, worthy endeavor, natural pacing and the shapely string playing of his band.' Giuditta is based on the Biblical story of Judith, a beautiful Israelite widow who insinuates herself within the camp of the conquering Assyrian tribe and deceives their general, Holofernes, before decapitating him and carrying off his head in triumph. This is the second version of the oratorio, known as the Cambridge version after the location of the manuscript when it was turned up in modern times. Scarlatti had considered the original version, composed for Rome in 1693, to be his finest oratorio. This is no mean assessment from the composer of masterworks, which have been more celebrated in our own time such as La Maddalena, for their expressive pathos and superbly grateful vocal lines. At any rate, Scarlatti conducted a revision of Giuditta four years later, scaling down the forces of the original to three solo voices, strings and continuo: it is this version, incisive and dramatic, which is performed by the Alessandro Stradella Consort.

1. Sinfonia: Allegro - Alessandro Stradella Consort 2. Sinfonia: Adagio - Alessandro Stradella Consort 3. Sinfonia: Allegro - Alessandro Stradella Consort 4. Nutrice, Al Fato Assiro - Rosita Frisani 5. Turbe Timide - Rosita Frisani 6. Signora, Ah Che Le Strida - Marco Lazzara 7. A Che Giova - Marco Lazzara 8. S'il Pi? Forte Vacilla - Rosita Frisani 9. Sciolgo Il Crin - Rosita Frisani 10. Scordato Consigliere - Various Performers 11. Deh, Rifletti - Various Performers 12. Segui Madre Il Mio Passo - Various Performers 13. Sommo Dio - Marco Lazzara 14. Ecco, Ecco Le Tende Assire - Rosita Frisani 15. Vedi, Tra Folte Schiere - Marco Lazzara 16. Chi M'addita Per Piet? - Rosita Frisani 17. Donna, De' Petti Assiri - Various Performers 18. Togliti! - Mario Nuvoli 19. Duce, Bettulia ? Serva - Rosita Frisani 20. Se Ritorno Entro Le Mura - Rosita Frisani 21. Donna, a Torto M'accusi - Mario Nuvoli 22. Mi Combatte, Mi Stringe - Mario Nuvoli 23. Ma No, Vanne - Mario Nuvoli 24. Tu M'uccidi - Various Performers 25. Del Pianto Vostro - Rosita Frisani 26. Posso! - Rosita Frisani 27. Dell'inimico Assiro - Various Performers 28. Vincer? - Various Performers 29. Madre, Apprendo Il Cimento - Rosita Frisani 30. Non Ti Curo O Libert? - Rosita Frisani 31. Bella, Non Ruotan Gl'astri - Mario Nuvoli 32. Quella Terra - Mario Nuvoli 33. Ma Impallidita - Mario Nuvoli 34. Bella, Mi Vuoi Deridere - Mario Nuvoli 35. Vieni, E Le Nostre Cene - Various Performers 36. Gi?, Gi? Sapesti Ferir - Mario Nuvoli 37. Siedo, Ma Non Gi? Siede - Various Performers 38. Piega O Duce - Rosita Frisani 39. Madre, Perch? I Riposi - Various Performers 40. Ardea Di Fiamma Impura - Various Performers 41. Dormi! - Marco Lazzara 42. Disse, E Dorm? Sansone - Various Performers 43. Tu Che Desti - Rosita Frisani 44. Ecco Le Mura Amiche - Various Performers 45. Spunta L'alba - Various Performers 46. Amici, Eccovi Il Teschio - Rosita Frisani 47. Di Bettulia Avrai la Sorte - Rosita Frisani