The Canadian vocal quartet Capella Intima, joined by the Gallery Players of Niagara and Nota Bene Baroque Players, is proud to release the premiere recording of Alessandro Scarlatti’s “Gli equivoci nel sembiante”, from 1679, on the historical performance label Musica Omnia.
Mistaken identity, sibling rivalry, and love at first sight are the comic themes of eighteen-year- old Alessandro Scarlatti’s first opera, premiered in Rome in 1679. Despite papal decree against such scandals as women on stage, and a ban on the church’s employment of theatre musicians, the public couldn’t resist the charms of this new, youthful voice of opera. Gli equivoci nel sembiante (Folly in Love) is an intimate comedy for four singers and orchestra that became a hit that toured throughout the regions of Italy for decades.
Howard Dyck writes in the Waterloo Music Times:
”The performance is first-class in every way. The singing…is impassioned, stylish, with impeccable intonation and flawless diction…must listening for any interested in the Historical Performance Movement.”
Full English translation of the libretto available for download here
Physical CDs are available for purchase by contacting hammerbaroque@gmail.com, or via Musica Omnia, and Amazon. Audio is also available for streaming on iTunes and Spotify.
Special thanks to the financial supporters of this recording, including the City of Hamilton Enrichment Fund, the Ontario Arts Council, the Canada Council for the Arts, Paul Grimwood and Central Presbyterian Church, and patrons Peter McCabe and Rhoda Hassmann.
