Cast

Ann Hallenberg, Mezzo-soprano
Christophe Rousset, musical direction
Les Talens Lyriques

Programme

Riccardo Broschi (1698 - 1756)
Extrait d'Artaserse et d'Idaspe
Johann Christian Bach (1735-1782)
Symphonie en sol mineur Op. 6 No. 6
Nicola Porpora (1686 - 1768)
Extrait de Semiramide riconosciuta (1729)
Extraits de Polifemo (1735)
Geminiano Giacomelli (c1692-1740)
Extrait d’Adriano in Siria (1733)
Johann-Adolf Hasse (1699-1783)
Ouverture de Cleofide
Leonardo Leo (1694-1744)
Arias d'Arbace
Extraits de Catone in Utica (1729)

Intro

With more than one million copies sold, the original soundtrack of Gérard Corbiau’s film Farinelli established the international reputation of Les Talens Lyriques. In 1994, in order to reinvent the voice of Carlo Broschi aka Farinelli (1705-1782), a computer was used to mix the timbres of Derek Lee Ragin, countertenor, and Ewa Mallas-Godlewska, soprano. No less would have been sufficient to incarnate the octaves and the phenomenal power of this singer, history’s first rock star.

 
Now Ann Hallenberg, a flavorful and ambiguous mezzo, has been chosen by Christophe Rousset to portray Farinelli. “There were two periods in Farinelli’s career. The first was virtuosic, flamboyant, during which he was financially successful and gave many performances. The second one was more melancholic, introverted, and sensitive. Ann is able to do justice to both of these.”