Dive into the enchanting world of Baroque opera with Francesco Cavalli's "La Calisto," a masterful recording released in 1995 by Harmonia Mundi. This choral gem spans over two and a half hours, offering a rich and immersive experience that showcases Cavalli's genius and the exquisite artistry of the performers.
"La Calisto" is a captivating opera that weaves together mythological tales and dramatic arias, performed by an ensemble of talented vocalists including Alessandra Mantovani, Barry Banks, David Pittsinger, and Dominique Visse. Under the direction of René Jacobs and the Concerto Vocale, this recording is celebrated for its artistic and sound quality, making it a standout in the genre.
The album features a comprehensive tracklist that includes the full opera, from the prologue's sinfonia to the final chorus, "Le stelle." Each track is meticulously performed, bringing to life the intricate compositions and lyrical beauty of Cavalli's work. Whether you're a seasoned opera enthusiast or new to the genre, "La Calisto" offers a compelling journey through one of the Baroque era's most celebrated operas.
This 1995 release is a testament to the enduring appeal of Cavalli's music, capturing the essence of Baroque opera with clarity and passion. With its detailed performances and high production values, "La Calisto" is an essential addition to any classical music collection.
2006 harmonia mundi1995 harmonia mundi
Tracks
La Calisto, Prologo: SinfoniaFrancesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Prologo: "Alme pure e volanti" (La Natura)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Barry Banks, Maria Bayo, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Prologo: "Gran madre ottima duce" (Il Destino)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Alessandra Mantovani, Barry Banks, Maria Bayo, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act I Scene 1: (Del foco fulminato" (Giove)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Marcello Lippi, Simon Keenlyside, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act I Scene 2: Piante ombrose (Calisto)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Maria Bayo, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act I Scene 2: De l'offese del foco (Mercurio)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Simon Keenlyside, Marcello Lippi, Maria Bayo, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act I Scene 2: "Dunque Giove immortale" (Calisto)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Maria Bayo, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act I Scene 3: "Come scherne acerbetta" (Giove)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Marcello Lippi, Simon Keenlyside, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act I Scene 3: SinfoniaFrancesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act I Scene 4: "Sien mortali o divini" (Calisto)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Maria Bayo, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act I Scene 4: "Non è maggior piacere" (Calisto)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Maria Bayo, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act I Scene 5: "Chi non ti crederebbe" (Mercurio)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Simon Keenlyside, Marcello Lippi, Maria Bayo, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act I Scene 6: "Va' pur va' pur va' seco" (Mercurio)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Simon Keenlyside, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act I Scene 7: "Improvisi stupori" (Endimione)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Graham Pushee, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act I Scene 7: "Serenati o core" (Endimione)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Graham Pushee, Alessandra Mantovani, Gilles Ragon, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act I Scene 8: "Parto e porto partendo" (Endimione)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Graham Pushee, Alessandra Mantovani, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act I Scene 9: "Come chiude nel petto" (Linfea)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Gilles Ragon, Maria Bayo, Alessandra Mantovani, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act I Scene 11: "Piangete sospirate!" (Calisto)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Maria Bayo, Gilles Ragon, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act I Scene 12: "Interprete mal buona" (Linfea)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Gilles Ragon, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act I Scene 13: "Ninfa bella che mormora" (Il Satirino)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Dominique Visse, Gilles Ragon, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act I Scene 14: "Numi selvatici" (Pane)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Barry Banks, David Pittsinger, Dominique Visse, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act I Scene 14: Ballo de OrsiFrancesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act II Scene 1: "Erme e solinghe cime" (Sinfonia, Endimione)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Graham Pushee, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act II Scene 2: Candidi corridori (Diana)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Alessandra Mantovani, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act II Scene 2: "Bella quanto crudele" (Endimione)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Graham Pushee, Alessandra Mantovani, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act II Scene 3: "Alfin la tanto rigida" (Il Satirino)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Dominique Visse, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act II Scene 4: "Da le gelose mie cure incessanti" (Giunone)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Sonia Theodoridou, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act II Scene 5: "Sgorgate anco sgorgate" (Calisto)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Maria Bayo, Sonia Theodoridou, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act II Scene 6: "Esprimerti non posso" (Giove)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Marcello Lippi, Simon Keenlyside, Sonia Theodoridou, Maria Bayo, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act II Scene 6: "Calisto anima mia?" (Giove)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Marcello Lippi, Sonia Theodoridou, Maria Bayo, Simon Keenlyside, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act II Scene 8: "Chi condusse costei" (Giove)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Marcello Lippi, Simon Keenlyside, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act II Scene 9: "Cor mio che vuoi tu?" (Endimione)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Graham Pushee, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act II Scene 9: "Mercurio chi disfoga" (Giove)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Marcello Lippi, Simon Keenlyside, Graham Pushee, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act II Scene 10: "Se tu nol credi vedila" (Il Satirino)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Dominique Visse, Barry Banks, Graham Pushee, Marcello Lippi, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act II Scene 11: "Oh dio così abbandoni" (Endimione)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Graham Pushee, Barry Banks, David Pittsinger, Dominique Visse, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act II Scene 12: "D'aver un consorte" (Linfea)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Gilles Ragon, Dominique Visse, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act II Scene 12: "Combattimento di ninfe e satiri"Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act III Scene 1: Restino imbalsamate (Calisto)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Maria Bayo, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act III Scene 2: "Da le sponde tartaree a questa luce" (Giunone)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Sonia Theodoridou, Judith Vindevogel, Dominique Visse, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act III Scene 2: "Mi si fa gelo il sangue" (Calisto)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Maria Bayo, Sonia Theodoridou, Judith Vindevogel, Dominique Visse, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act III Scene 3: "Racconsolata e paga" (Giunone)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Sonia Theodoridou, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act III Scene 4: "Perfide ancora osate" (Mercurio)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Simon Keenlyside, Marcello Lippi, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act III Scene 4: "O re de l'universo" (Calisto)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Maria Bayo, Marcello Lippi, Simon Keenlyside, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act III Scene 4: "Mio foco fatale" (Giove)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Marcello Lippi, Maria Bayo, Simon Keenlyside, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act III Scene 5: "Che non l'ami volete?" (Endimione)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Graham Pushee, David Pittsinger, Barry Banks, Alessandra Mantovani, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act III Scene 7: "Vivo per te pietosa" (Endimione)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Graham Pushee, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act III Scene 7: "Tanto dunque tu m'ami?" (Diana)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Alessandra Mantovani, Graham Pushee, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act III Scene 7: Dolcissimi baci (Diana e Endimione)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Alessandra Mantovani, Graham Pushee, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act III Scene 8: SinfoniaFrancesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Concerto Vocale
La Calisto, Act III Scene 8: "Le stelle" (Coro di Menti celesti)Francesco Cavalli, René Jacobs, Maria Bayo, Marcello Lippi, Simon Keenlyside, Concerto Vocale
Francesco Cavalli, born in 1602 in the Venetian city of Crema, was a pivotal figure in the early Baroque period, renowned for his prolific and influential work in opera. As a pupil of the legendary Claudio Monteverdi, Cavalli succeeded his mentor as the leading opera composer of the mid-17th century. His career flourished in Venice, where he composed over thirty operas, many of which premiered in the city's pioneering theatres. Cavalli's most celebrated works include 'Ormindo' (1644), 'Giasone' (1649), and 'La Calisto' (1651), which continue to captivate audiences with their rich musical tapestry and dramatic depth. Beyond his operatic achievements, Cavalli's compositions span a broad range of genres, from sacred to secular music, reflecting his versatility and enduring impact on the Baroque era.