Time 19:00
Zdrojowy Theater in Szczawno-Zdrój
The concert in Szczawno-Zdrój is part of the cycle Summer Encounters with Baroque
The secret of the sound of the voices of castrati, mutilated in the name of art and subjected to scrupulous education, will remain enchanted in the bygone sonosphere of olden times. To this day, only accounts of these extraordinary performers have been preserved – above all, in the rich baroque works created with their voices in mind. The special timbre, power of sound, and technical efficiency of the most outstanding castrati enchanted, among others, Georg Friedrich Haendel, who cast them to play leading roles in his operas. Playing the title role, Nicolini, that is Nicolò Francesco Leonardo Grimaldi, certainly contributed to the success of Rinaldo, Haendel’s first opera prepared for the English stage (1711). Admired primarily for his unprecedented acting skills, he delighted the audience once again by playing Amadys of Gaul (Amadigi di Gaula, 1715).
The most famous of the castrati who collaborated with Haendel was Senesino, or rather Francesco Bernardi, who in the first half of the 18th century conquered the stages of the most important Italian theaters – including Venice, Bologna, Rome, Ferrara, Florence and Naples. His untamed, difficult character did not prevent him from developing his career abroad. His strong and clear voice, perfect intonation, excellent acting, and sublime musical taste delighted the audience in such operas as Giulio Cesare, Rodelinda, Tolomeo, re d’Egitto, and Siroe, re di Persia. During the concert, expressive baroque arias will be interpreted by one of the outstanding countertenors of the young generation – Rafał Tomkiewicz. He will be accompanied by the Period Instruments Ensemble of the Polish Royal Opera Capella Regia Polona, led by maestro Krzysztof Garstka on the harpsichord.
PROGRAM
Georg Friedrich Haendel
Ouverture to the opera Giulio Cesare, HWV 17
Aria (Giulio Cesare) Empio, dirò, tu sei from Act I of the opera Giulio Cesare, HWV 17
Recitative and aria Amadigi Io ramingo men vado… Sussurrate onde vezzose from Act II of the opera Amadigi di Gaula HWV 11
Aria (Amadigi) Minacciami, non ho timor from Act II of the opera Amadigi di Gaula HWV 11
Ouverture to the opera Floridante HWV 14
Aria (Tolomeo) Torna sol per un momento from Act I of the opera Tolomeo, re d’Egitto HWV 25
Aria (Amadigi) Non sa temere questo mio petto from Act I of the opera Amadigi di Gaula HWV 11
Aria (Giulio Cesare) Se in fiorito ameno prato from Act II of the opera Giulio Cesare HWV 17
Concerto grosso op. 6 nr 4
Aria and recitative Siroe Son stanco, ingiusti Numi… Deggio morire, o stelle from Act III of the opera Siroe, re di Persia HWV 24
Aria (Bertarido) Vivi, tiranno! from Act III of the opera Rodelinda HWV 19
PERFORMES
RAFAŁ TOMKIEWICZ COUNTERTENOR
THE PERIOD INSTRUMENTS ENSEMBLE OF THE POLISH ROYAL OPERA CAPELLA REGIA POLONA
KRZYSZTOF GARSTKA HARPSICHORD, CONDUCTOR
Duration: approx. 1 h 20 min
