A spectacular selection of the finest dramatic works by Georg Friedrich Handel (1685-1759), this concert invites you to plunge into the unique and bewitching world of the Italian opera serias of the ‘caro sassone’. The programme includes a refined selection of excerpts, ranging from Agrippina – a youthful work applauded at its premiere in 1709 in Venice – to the London masterpieces Giulio Cesare and Tamerlano (1724), to works of full maturity such as Alcina (1735), whose Act II ends with a “rare moment of dramatic intensity” according to Christophe Rousset (“Ombre pallide”).
Georg Friedrich Haendel (1685-1759)
Solomon, HWV 67 (1749)
« Sinfonia », Arrival of the Queen of Sheba
Agrippina, HWV 6 (1709)
Aria « Come nube che fugge dal vento » (Ève-Maud Hubeaux)
Tamerlano, HWV 18 (1724)
Overture
Aria « Cerco in vano » (Ève-Maud Hubeaux)
Alcina, HWV 34 (1735)
Accompagnato « Ah ! Ruggiero crudel » & Aria « Ombre pallide » ( Sandrine Piau)
Entrance of dreams (pleasant, unpleasant, frightened pleasant) and combat of unpleasant and pleasant dreams
Giulio Cesare, HWV 17 (1724)
Overture
Aria « Piangerò la sorte mia » (Sandrine Piau)
Il Pastor fido, HWV 8 (1734)
Chaconne
Giulio Cesare, HWV 17 (1724)
Aria « Da tempeste il legno infranto » (Sandrine Piau)
Aria « Priva son d’ogni conforto » (Ève-Maud Hubeaux)
Duetto « Più amabile beltà » (Sandrine Piau et Ève-Maud Hubeaux)
With: Les Talens Lyriques
Sandrine Piau (soprano)
Ève-Maud Hubeaux (mezzo-soprano)
Musical director : Christophe Rousset
Filmed at Théâtre du Châtelet
TV director : Olivier Simonnet
Camera Lucida – 2020
The ensemble Les Talens Lyriques receives subsidies from the French Ministry of Culture – DRAC Île-de-France, the City of Paris, and generous support from its Circle of Patrons. The ensemble wishes to thank its principal Patrons, the Annenberg Foundation / GRoW – Gregory and Regina Annenberg Weingarten, Madame Aline Foriel-Destezet, and Fondation Société Générale C’est vous l’avenir.
Since 2011 Les Talens Lyriques have been associate artists, in residence at the Singer-Polignac Foundation in Paris.
Les Talens Lyriques are founding members of FEVIS (Federation of Specialised Vocal and Instrumental Ensembles) and of PROFEDIM (Professional Union of Music Producers, Festivals, Ensembles, and Independent Distributors) and members of REMA-EEMN (European Early Music Network).
