Review

In the DVD of Leonardo Vinci’s Artaserse (Erato 2564632323), countertenor Franco Fagioli’s extraordinary vocal pyrotechnics as Arbace stole the show from his better-known colleague, Philippe Jaroussky, in the title role. J.A. Hasse’s setting of the same libretto by Pietro Metastasio premiered exactly one week after the debut of Vinci’s version, in February 1730. Metastasio’s highly effective libretto was subsequently used by many other composers, including Gluck, Cimarosa and Paisiello.

Arbace’s father, Artabano, has assassinated Persia’s king Serse (Xerxes). Arbace is accused of the murder, creating painful rifts within each pair of lovers: Arbace and Serses’ daughter Mandane, and Semira, Arbace’s sister, and Artaserse, Serse’s son. Artabano plots to murder Artaserse, the new king, but his villainy is exposed, the lovers are reunited and all ends happily.

In this 2-DVD set from the 2012 Valle d’Itria festival, Fagioli again thrills as Arbace, with breathtaking coloratura runs. Also excelling in vocal expressiveness and agility are mezzo-soprano Sonia Prina (Artabano) and rich-voiced contralto Rosa Bove (Semira). Hasse’s emotion-laden ABA arias are augmented by a virtuoso aria from Vivaldi’s Motezuma, added to give Prina as Artabano an extra showpiece.

There’s no resemblance to ancient Persia; the male characters wear gaudily bemedalled modern military uniforms. One annoyance: endlessly repeated cutaway views of Corrado Rovaris conducting from the harpsichord.

Hasse’s Artaserse will please lovers of Baroque opera, superb singing and, especially, the growing contingent of fans of the amazing Franco Fagioli.