Jakub Jozef Orlinski – Facce d’amore (2019) [FLAC 24bit/192kHz]

After being spotted in the production of Cavalli’s opera, Erismena, at the Aix-en-Provence festival in 2017, Polish countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński quickly became an “international star” in the world of glitz and glamour when a video of his performance amassed over two million views on social media. He released his début album, Anima sacra, in 2018 and has now returned with his second recital, Facce d’amore.

The handsome young fellow is much more than just a media phenomenon though. After completing some rather extensive musical studies in Warsaw, he began performing on stage before going on to perfect his vocals with Edith Wiens at the Juilliard School in New York and taking part in Pablo Heras-Casado’s Master Classes. However, his musical preferences go beyond merely classical as Jakub Józef Orliński is also a break-dancer and has competed in a number of competitions, as well as being a dancer, model and acrobat for advertising campaigns in both the fashion and luxury car industries.

This second album, devised with the help of his ‘expert researcher’ Yannis François, covers opera songs that depict various states of being in love, from Cavalli to Hasse as well as some less well-known composers, each with their own take on being lucky or unlucky in love. The young countertenor expresses their innermost thoughts through his vocals, captivating us with his distinct and rich voice. He is joined by another young prodigy, Russian pianist and conductor Maxim Emelyanychev, conducting the baroque ensemble II Pomo d’oro here. A performance brimming with the talent of today’s youth. – François Hudry

Tracklist:
01. La Calisto, Act 2: “Erme e solinghe cime … Lucidissima face” (Endimione)
02. Eliogabalo, Act 3: “Chi scherza con Amor” (Eliogabalo)
03. Claudio Cesare, Act 2: Sinfonia
04. Claudio Cesare, Act 2: “Crudo amor, non hai pietà” (Claudio)
05. La Nemica d’Amore fatta amante, Pt. 1: Sinfonia
06. La costanza non gradita nel doppio amore d’Aminta: “Infelice mia costanza” (Aminta)
07. Il Pirro e Demetrio, Act 2: “Fra gl’assalti di Cupido” (Pirro)
08. Agrippina, HWV 6, Act 2: “Otton qual portentoso fulmine” (Ottone)
09. Agrippina, HWV 6, Act 2: “Voi che udite” (Ottone)
10. Nerone, Act 1: “Che m’ami ti prega” (Nerone)
11. Amadigi di Gaula, HWV 11, Act 2: “Pena tiranna” (Dardano)
12. Muzio Scevola, HWV 13, Act 3: “Spera, che tra le care gioie” (Muzio)
13. Orlando, HWV 31, Act 2: “Ah stigie larve! … Vaghe pupille” (Orlando)
14. Scipione il giovane, Act 3: “Dovrian quest’occhi piangere” (Scipione)
15. Ballo dei Bagatellieri
16. Don Chisciotte in Sierra Morena, Act 4: “Odio, vendetta, amore” (Fernando)
17. Scipione il giovane, Act 1: “Finche salvo è l’amor suo” (Scipione)
18. Orfeo: “Sempre a si vaghi rai” (Orfeo)