Cavalli – La Calisto

Francesco Cavalli (1602-76)

La Calisto (1651)

A Masterpiece of the Venetian Baroque

———————

Revised & Conducted by Jane Glover

Glimmerglass Opera

BBC Music, 1996

———————

ONE-SENTENCE REVIEW:

Dude Cavalli was a big deal in 17th Century Venice and he’s a still a big deal today (in a few – very small – music circles).

_____________________

NO LINER NOTES (BUT HERE’S SOME INFO ABOUT CAVALLI & LA CALISTO)

Francesco CavalliFrancesco Cavalli (born Pietro Francesco Caletti-Bruni; (1602-76) was a Venetian composer, organiist and singer of the early Baroque period. He succedded his teacher Claudio Monteverdi as the dominant and leading opera composer of the mid-17th century. A central figure of Venetian musical life, Cavalli wrote more than thirty operas, almost all of whic premiered in the city’s theaters. His best known works include Omindo (1644), Giasone (1649) and La Calisto (1651).

La Calisto is an Italian opera by Francesco Cavalli from a libretto by Giovanni Faustini based on the mythological story of Calisto.

The opera received its first performance on November 28, 1951 at the Teatro Sant’Apollinare, Venice, where it drea limited audiences for its run of eleven performances. In the 20th centire it was successfully revived.

Libretto

The libretto was published in 1651 by Giuliani and Batti. The story combines two myths: Jupiter’s seduction of Calisto, and Diana’s adventure with Endymion. The plot is somewhat formulaic: Jane Glover has commented on how the librettist had to invent complications to meet audience expections in the context of Venetian opera.

_______________________

TRACK LISTING:

Francesco Cavalli (1602-76)

LA CALISTO (1651)

1. Dei foco fulminato [3:17]
2. Piante ombrose [5:54]
3. Dunque, che far degg io [1:13]
4. Non e maggior piacere [1:23]
5. Chi non ti crederebbe 2:50]
6. Improvisi stupori [2:05]
7. Ohime, vedo il mio bene [4:23]
8. Piacere maggiore havere non puo ;3:12]
9. Piangete, sospirate, luci dolenti [1:52]
10. Interprete mal buona son [2:05]
11. Ninfa bella [2:53]
12. Numi selvatici [3:57]
13. Lucidissima face [2:20]
14. Candidi corridori [7:54]
15. Da le gelose mie cure [1:21]
16. Scorgate, anco scorgate [3:26]
17. Calisto, anima mia? [1:40]
18. Trar da quelle vaghezze [1:12]
19. Ululi, frema, e strida [1:27]
20. Mercurio, chi disfoga [1:01]
21. Se tu nol credi [=:49]
22. Fermati, o mobile [2:36]
23. Restino imbalsamate [2:18]
24. Da le sponde Tartaree [2:39]
25. Racconsolata e paga [2:49]
26. Bella mia [3:52]
27. Che non l’ami volete? [1:58]
28. Ti segua questo dardo [2:42]
29. Arciera mia, discendi [2:27]

Total CD Duration: [77:51]

FINAL THOUGHT:

If it ain’t baroque, don’t fix it.

Emily Sachs – President – Manka Music Group (A division of Manka Bros. Studios – The World’s Largest Media Company