An unknown baroque opera - Giuseppe Zamponi

[PJME]

For the" Printemps Baroque"festival in Brussels this work was recently performed at the wonderful Flagey building (it houses the much respected recording Studio 4...loved by Martha Argerich and Misha Maisky...).
The ensemble Clematis is linked with the Ensemble Elyma and Gabriel Garrido who did much for the rediscovery of baroque Music in South America.
http://www.elyma.com/index.htm


Printemps baroque : Ensemble Clematis
Giuseppe Zamponi : Ulisse Nell’ isola di Circe


Ulisse Nell’ Isola di Circe is the first opera ever composed in Brussels. The work was created in 1650 and is a sample of the enormous influence of Italian music on Northern Europe in that time. The Italian composer Giuseppe Zamponi came to Brussels in 1648 upon request of the archduke Leopold-William. The archduke asked him to write an opera for the marriage of the Spanish king, Philip IV, and Mary Ann of Austria. The story is about Odysseus’ wanderings after the Trojan War. Almost all the gods of the Olympus are represented, followed by nymphs and satyrs. The opera was such a success, that queen Christine of Sweden requested to repeat it when she came to Brussels four years later.
Flagey presents the opera in a version by Clematis, an ensemble that gives life to unknown work from the 17th century. Ulisse Nell’ Isola di Circe is a beautiful, but forgotten page from the history of Brussels opera.

Ensemble Clematis
Leonardo Garcia conduct
Thierry Pillon direction, scenography
Furio Zanasi Ulysse
Céline Scheen Circe
Marie-Noëlle de Callataÿ Argesta
Betsabee Haas Venus
Stephan Van Dyck Euriloco
Matthew Baker Giove
Damien Guillon Mercurio

[Ralph]

I'd love to hear it. Maybe it will show up on CD.

[Corlyss_D]

That episode from the Odyssey is a favorite of Baroque composers. Get to put animal suits on the singers.