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Floridante (1721)

By George Frideric Handel (Georg Friedrich Händel)

Recordings

Handel. Floridante. (HWV 14, London 1721). DG-Archiv 477 6566 (3 CDs, February 2007). Details. Alan Curtis, Il Complesso Barocco. Marijana Mijanovic, contralto; Joyce DiDonato, mezzo-soprano; Roberta Invernizzi, soprano; Sharon Rostorf-Zamir, soprano; Vito Priante, bass; Riccardo Novaro, baritone. New edition based on Handel's original intended form of the opera, before adjustments made due to changes in the singers. Musically, Floridante is one of Handel's finest operas, but the only previous recording was one of McGegan's weakest. US | UK | DE | FR | CA | JP

Handel. Floridante. (HWV 14, London 1721). Hungaroton HCD 31304/06 (3 CDs 1991). Details. Nicholas McGegan, Capella Savaria. Floridante: Drew Minter, countertenor; Timante: Mária Zádori, soprano; Oronte: István Gáti, baritone; Coralbo: Jószef Moldvay, bass; Elmira: Annette Markert, contralto; Rossane: Katalin Farkas, soprano. Floridante is one of Handel's most consistently fine operas, despite a somewhat confusing libretto adapted by Rolli from late 17th Century sources. US | UK | DE | FR | CA | JP

Handel. Floridante (excerpts). (HWV 14, London 1721). CBC Records SMCD5110 (1 CD 1991). Alan Curtis, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra. Floridante: Catherine Robbin, mezzo-soprano; Timante: Ingrid Attrot, soprano; Coralbo / Oronte: Mel Braun, baritone; Elmira: Linda Maguire, mezzo-soprano; Rossane: Nancy Argenta, soprano. Much better performance than the Hungaroton set, but only excerpts. US | UK | DE | FR | CA | JP

Interesting Note

Handel left an excellent keyboard transcription of "Sventurato, godi, o core abbandonato" from Floridante with many ornaments written out. It is reproduced in G.F. Handel - A New Harpsichord Folio - A collection of unfamiliar keyboard pieces, edited by Terrence Best. (Novello 1988).

References

Winton Dean & J. Merrill Knapp. Handel's Operas, 1704-1726. (Oxford University Press 1995 (1987)).

R. Strohm, "Handel and his Italian opera texts". Essays on Handel and the Italian Opera. (Oxford University Press 1985).

Links

Le magazine de l'opera-baroque page on Floridante