By studying his music, my admiration for him has grown ever greater. His compositions are challenging on all levels. Music, text and vocal lines come together to express every nuance he seeks in his often flowery style. His musical intentions are complex, yet clear. To serve this music bestows a deep satisfaction on the soul.Sergio Foresti
Another fine album from the virtuoso Italian baritone Sergio Foresti, accompanied by the Abchordis Ensemble under the direction of Andrea Buccarella. L'aureo serto contains a selection of arias composed by Nicola Porpora, probably the greatest Neapolitan opera composer. An impeccable recording to listen to with pleasure from beginning to end, also thanks to the effective orchestral accompaniment. The ensemble cordially invites the listener to join in on this musical journey.
The musicians chose works they love and believe show different aspects of Porpora as a composer for the lower male voice. The music comes from his operas, oratoria and serenatas. The characters range from 'bad guy' Wenceslaus, the heroic Piritoo and Hercules, and even touch on the comic with Titiro's grumpy observations and Planco's mockery.
The combination of arias with such different characters and so diverse in chronological and geographical scope will certainly intrigue and fascinate the listener. The arias were written in their time for artists in different circumstances and are part of works belonging to different genres. They are eminently suited to demonstrating the added value of a singer, but also the composer's ability to seduce the listener's ear and thus enchant the listener's spirit.
Nicola Antonio Porpora, born in Naples in 1686 and died in the same city in 1768, emerged from a rich musical life in his native city, surrounded by composers such as Alessandro Scarlatti, Leonardo Vinci, Leonardo Leo and Francesco Durante. They were all largely responsible for a series of important stylistic innovations that deeply influenced the contemporary Italian opera world. Porpora worked in Naples, Rome, Venice, Vienna, Dresden and London and was highly respected in his time.
That Nicola Porpora was a brilliant opera composer and an excellent singing teacher is beyond doubt. He understood the singing voice like no other. For Porpora and his singers, vocal virtuosity was first and foremost a fundamental linguistic instrument for conveying ideas, not merely a display of circus tricks. His compositions are challenging on all levels. Music, text and vocal lines come together to express every nuance he seeks in his often flowery style. His musical intentions are complex, yet clear.
Sergio Foresti (1968) is a virtuoso Italian baritone with a special love for music from the 18th and 19th centuries. His repertoire encompasses opera from Baroque to late Romantic, sacred music and chamber music such as art songs into the 20th century. He sings mainly in Italian, French, German and English. He currently lives in Berlin and Amsterdam. Foresti graduated in both opera singing and piano at the conservatory in Modena (Italy). A decade later, he also graduated in vocal chamber music in Florence (Italy). From the beginning of his career, Foresti has devoted himself to exploring different musical styles.
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