Thomas Hampson - Arias

Thomas Hampson - Arias - Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert - Harnoncourt

CD - DDD - Italian, German - 61'22

Warner Classics 2564622572, released 2005


Orchestra: Concentus Musicus Wien
Conductor: Nikolaus Harnoncourt

This is one of the best things that Thomas Hampson has done in a long time. His vocal health on the disc is a pleasant surprise. Despite singing a number of heavy Romantic roles, his voice has kept its elegance of line but to this is added a greater depth and a wonderful way with the words. One of the joys of the disc is the way Hampson projects the lively texts whilst never losing sight of the musical values.

He is ably supported by Harnoncourt and Concentus Musicus Wien. Not all the pieces require elaborate orchestration, but when given their head the orchestra relish their opportunities. This is a well put together programme, beautifully performed which makes a good case for a group of often neglected arias.

01. Rivolgete a lui lo sguardo, aria for bass & orchestra, K. 584
02. Un bacio di mano, aria for bass & orchestra, K. 541
03. Ich möchte wohl der Kaiser sein, aria for bass & orchestra, K. 539
04. Prüfung des Küssens, aria for bass & orchestra, WoO 89
05. Mit Mädeln sich vertragen, aria for bass & orchestra WoO 90
06. Dice benissimo, aria for bass & orchestra, H. 24b/5 (for Salieri, La scuola de' gelosi)
07. Un cor si tenero, aria for bass & orchestra, H. 24b/11 (for Bianchi, Il disertore)
08. Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492: Act 3. Hai gia vinta la causa!... Vedrò mentr'io sospiro (Count Almaviva)
09. Alfonso und Estrella, opera, D. 732: Act 1. Sei mir gegrüßt (Froila)
10. Alfonso und Estrella, opera, D. 732: Act 2. Der Jäger ruhte hingegossen (Froila)
11. Mentre ti lascio, o figlia, aria for bass & orchestra, K. 513
12. Io ti lascio, o cara, addio, aria for bass & orchestra, K. Anh. 245 (K. 621a)