Xavier Sabata – L’Alessandro amante (2018) [FLAC 24bit/96kHz]

This recital by the countertenor Xavier Sabata, accompanied by Arnadí’s Vespres ensemble, takes its title “L’Alessandro amante” from a lost homonymous opera by Giovanni Boretti. Why Alexander the Great? He is the most exploited historical figure in the history of opera, especially in the Baroque period, with Metastasio’s librettoAlessandro nell’Indie basing some sixty-five operas on the figure. Moreover, the historical Alexander was a complex figure, a mixture of violence, arrogance and ambition, but also a generous man, knowing how to recognize the humanity of an enemy by considering them his equal. The journey onto which his figure invites us is twofold: a biographical journey through battles, conquests and achievements first (not always historically accurate, mind…), as well as a musical journey through a hundred years, from 1660 to 1760, at a time when immense changes were occurring almost every twenty years. We therefore travel from Antonio Draghi to Nicola Porpora, via Handel, Leo, Bononcini and a few others in the same vein. The recital offers as many different “Alexanders” as it does pieces, though two major groups emerge: Alexander the warrior, reserved for higher voices, and Alexander the lover, whose melodies are entrusted to the alto register. Of course, Sabata can cover both poles.

Tracklist:
1. L’Abdolomino: Preludio. Presto 01:30
2. Euleo festeggiante nel ritorno d’Alessandro Magno dall’Indie: Aria “Da tuoi lumi fulminato” 03:41
3. Poro, re dell’Indie, HWV 28: Aria “Se possono tanto due luci vezzose” 05:41
4. Alessandro, HWV 21: Aria”Vano amore” 04:52
5. Alessandro nell’Indie: Aria “Serbati a grande imprese” 08:29
6. Il Zelo di Leonato: Sinfonia. Lentemente 59
7. Il Zelo di Leonato: Sinfonia. Allegro 01:39
8. La Vittoria della fortezza: Arietta “È insofferibile temerità” 01:47
9. La Vittoria della fortezza: Arietta “Premi e pene sono i fiori” 02:44
10. Alessandro il grande in Sidone: Aria “Spirti fieri alla vendetta” 03:18
11. Euleo festeggiante nel ritorno d’Alessandro Magno dall’Indie: Aria “Chiare faci al di cui lume” 07:28
12. Alessandro nell’Indie: Aria “Serbati a grande imprese” 04:10
13. Alessandro il grande in Sidone: Sinfonia. I. Allegrissimo 02:33
14. Alessandro il grande in Sidone: Sinfonia. II. Larghetto 01:20
15. Alessandro il grande in Sidone: Sinfonia. III. Allegro 01:40
16. Alessandro in Persia: Aria “Dirti, ben mio, vorrei” 05:08
17. Poro: Aria “Destrier ch’all’armi usato” 07:19