Vivaldi – Armida al Campo d’Egitto | Concerto Italiano, Rinaldo Alessandrini (Naïve 2010) CD

• UPC: 709861304929 
• MPN: OP 30492 
• Label: Naïve – Tesori del Piemonte, Vol. 44 
• Format: 3 × Audio CD, Album 
• Country: Europe 
• Released: May 2010 
• Genre: Classical 
• Style: Baroque, Opera

Overview

This landmark Naïve 3-CD set presents Antonio Vivaldi’s Armida al campo d’Egitto, a rarely performed Baroque opera seria composed in 1718 for the Teatro di Sant’Angelo in Venice. Under the inspired direction of Rinaldo Alessandrini, the renowned ensemble Concerto Italiano brings to life one of Vivaldi’s most dramatic and harmonically daring stage works — a tale of passion, war, and divine retribution drawn from Torquato Tasso’s Gerusalemme Liberata.

Featuring an exceptional cast including Sara Mingardo, Furio Zanasi, Romina Basso, Marina Comparato, and Raffaella Milanesi, this production combines expressive vocal artistry with Alessandrini’s historically informed interpretation, revealing Vivaldi’s operatic genius beyond his famous concertos.

Armida al campo d’Egitto stands as a powerful testament to Vivaldi’s theatrical imagination — a fusion of virtuosic arias, vivid recitatives, and orchestral brilliance, restored here in full for modern audiences as part of the acclaimed “Tesori del Piemonte” series.

Product Features

• Label: Naïve – OP 30492
• Series: Tesori del Piemonte, Vol. 44
• Format: 3 × CD, Album, Stereo
• Country: Europe
• Release Date: May 2010
• Genre: Classical
• Style: Baroque Opera
• Composer: Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741)
• Conductor: Rinaldo Alessandrini
• Ensemble: Concerto Italiano
• Language: Italian (Libretto by Giovanni Palazzi)

Cast & Credits

• Armida – Sara Mingardo (Contralto)
• Sveno – Martin Oro (Countertenor)
• Fenice – Romina Basso (Mezzo-soprano)
• Ermione – Marina Comparato (Mezzo-soprano)
• Ozia / Leader roles – Furio Zanasi (Baritone)
• Idaspe – Raffaella Milanesi (Soprano)
• Orchestra: Concerto Italiano
• Conductor: Rinaldo Alessandrini
• Producer: Jean-Pierre Loisil
• Engineer: Laure Casenave-Péré
• Assistant Engineer: Jean-Nicolas Valdenaire

Interesting Facts

• Armida al campo d’Egitto was written during Vivaldi’s mature Venetian years and represents one of his most complex operatic scores, filled with daring harmonic progressions and vividly characterized arias.
• The opera retells the story of Armida, the sorceress who seduces and torments the Christian knight Rinaldo — a theme of spiritual warfare and temptation that fascinated Baroque audiences.
• This recording continues Naïve’s ambitious “Tesori del Piemonte” project, dedicated to reviving forgotten Vivaldi manuscripts preserved in the Biblioteca Nazionale Universitaria di Torino.
• Rinaldo Alessandrini and Concerto Italiano are internationally acclaimed for their authentic Baroque interpretations, blending energy, scholarly precision, and expressive warmth.
• The cast’s vocal palette, led by Sara Mingardo’s rich contralto, highlights Vivaldi’s gift for vocal drama and emotional subtlety.

Track Highlights

Across three full discs, the recording captures the opera’s intricate balance between recitative, aria, and ensemble passages, including:

• “Ardo sì, per il mio bene” – fiery declaration of devotion
• “Pensa che quel bel seno” – tender and introspective aria
• “Agitata de’ venti dall’onde” – a storm-driven virtuoso showcase
• “Chi alla colpa fa tragitto” – a moral and dramatic conclusion

Complete tracklist available in the libretto booklet.

Publishers & Production

Label: Naïve Series: Tesori del Piemonte – Vol. 44 Producer: Jean-Pierre Loisil Recording Venue: Live & Studio Sessions, Europe (2009–2010) Edition: Collector’s 3-CD Box with Full Libretto and Notes

Condition Notice: Used – Very Good. Discs and packaging in excellent shape, as pictured.

Hashtags

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