Immerse yourself in the baroque splendour of Johann Adolf Hasse's "L'Olimpiade" with this captivating live recording from the 1992 Dresden Music Festival. This two-disc set captures the essence of Hasse's final opera seria, performed at the historic Semperoper in Dresden, just before the outbreak of the Seven Years' War.
Composed in 1761, "L'Olimpiade" is a dramatic masterpiece set to a libretto by Pietro Metastasio, featuring a compelling narrative of love, honour, and Olympic competition. The opera is presented in its entirety, spanning three acts and 36 scenes, offering over two hours of enchanting arias, duets, and ensembles.
Under the baton of Frieder Bernius, the Cappella Sagittariana Dresden and Kammerchor Stuttgart deliver a stellar performance, accompanied by a stellar cast of soloists, including Christoph Prégardien, Catherine Robbin, and Dorothea Röschmann. The recording, made by MDR Kultur, beautifully preserves the acoustic richness of the Semperoper, providing an authentic and immersive listening experience.
This album is a testament to Hasse's virtuosity and the enduring appeal of Baroque opera. Whether you're a seasoned opera enthusiast or new to the genre, this live recording of "L'Olimpiade" promises a captivating journey into the world of 18th-century music drama. The album was released by Profil Edition Guenter Haenssler on 1 January 1992.
L'Olimpiade, Act I Scene 2: Prence. Amico. - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, David Cordier, Randall Wong, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act I Scene 2: Superbo di me stesso - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, David Cordier, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act I Scene 3: Quanto importuno è questo - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, Randall Wong, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act I Scene 4: Quel destrier - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, Randall Wong, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act I Scene 4: O care selve - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, Catherine Robbin, Kammerchor Stuttgart, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act I Scene 5: Figlia, tutto è compito - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, Christoph Prégardien, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act I Scene 7: Dunque Licida ingrato già di me si scordò! - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, Christoph Prégardien, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act I Scene 7: Più non si trovano - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, Randall Wong, Dorothea Röschmann, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act I Scene 8: Licida. Amico. Eccomi a te - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, David Cordier, Randall Wong, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act I Scene 8: Mentre dormi - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, Randall Wong, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act I Scene 9: Che intesi, eterni dèi! - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, David Cordier, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act I Scene 10: Chi mi sorprende? - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, David Cordier, Catherine Robbin, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act I Scene 10: Ne' giorni tuoi felici - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, Catherine Robbin, David Cordier, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act II Scene 3: Ah dimmi, Principessa - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, Catherine Robbin, Dorothea Röschmann, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act II Scene 3: Grandi, è ver, son le tue pene - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, Catherine Robbin, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act II Scene 4: Che non mi disse un di? - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, Dorothea Röschmann, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act II Scene 5: Insana gioventù! - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, Steven Rickards, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act II Scene 5: Siam navi all'onde algenti - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, Steven Rickards, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act II Scene 6: Del forte Licida, nome maggiore - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, Kammerchor Stuttgart, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act II Scene 7: All' odiose nozze - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, Catherine Robbin, Randall Wong, Christoph Prégardien, David Cordier, Steven Rickards, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act II Scene 9: Come? Già m'abbandoni? - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, Catherine Robbin, David Cordier, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act II Scene 10: Licida, dov'è mai? - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, David Cordier, Randall Wong, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act II Scene 10: Se cerca, se dice - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, David Cordier, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act II Scene 11: Che labirinto è questo! - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, Randall Wong, Catherine Robbin, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act II Scene 11: Tu me da me dividi - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, Catherine Robbin, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act II Scene 12: A me barbaro! Oh Numi! - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, Randall Wong, Dorothea Röschmann, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act II Scene 12: Nò! La Speranza, più non m'alletta - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, Dorothea Röschmann, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act II Scene 15: Con questo ferro - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, Randall Wong, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act II Scene 15: Gemo in un punto, e fremo - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, Randall Wong, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act III Scene 3: Deh secondate, o Numi - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, David Cordier, Dorothea Röschmann, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act III Scene 3: Placa lo sdegno ormai - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, David Cordier, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act III Scene 6: I tuoi strali terror de' mortali - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, Kammerchor Stuttgart, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act III Scene 6: Giovane sventurato, ecco vicino - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, Christoph Prégardien, Randall Wong, Steven Rickards, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act III Scene 6: Non so donde viene - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, Christoph Prégardien, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act III Scene 7: Signor trascorre - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, Christoph Prégardien, Steven Rickards, David Cordier, Randall Wong, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act III Scene 7: Consola il genitore - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, Randall Wong, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act III Scene 7: I tuoi strali, terror de' mortali - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, Christoph Prégardien, Dorothea Röschmann, Kammerchor Stuttgart, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act III Scene 7: Ah numi, ecco Filinto - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, Christoph Prégardien, Catherine Robbin, Randall Wong, Steven Rickards, David Cordier, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act III Final Scene: Viva, viva il figlio delinquente - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, Kammerchor Stuttgart, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
L'Olimpiade, Act I Scene 5: Del destin non vi lagnate - LiveJohann Adolf Hasse, Christoph Prégardien, Cappella Sagittariana Dresden, Frieder Bernius
Johann Adolf Hasse, born in 1699 in Bergedorf, near Hamburg, was a towering figure in the world of 18th-century music, renowned for his operatic compositions that captivated audiences across Europe. A prolific composer, singer, and music teacher, Hasse's operatic works were immensely popular, and he was a key figure in the development of opera seria. His collaboration with the celebrated librettist Pietro Metastasio further enriched his operatic repertoire, making him a pivotal figure in the musical landscape of his time. Hasse's career spanned various European courts and theaters, including prestigious venues in Dresden, Venice, and Naples. Beyond his operatic achievements, Hasse also composed a significant amount of sacred music, showcasing his versatility and depth as a composer. His legacy endures, celebrated for his contributions to the late Baroque and early Classical periods.