Search - Michael Chance, Rosa Mannion, Choeur de l'Université de Paris Sorbonne :: Mozart: Ascanio in Alba / Chance, Feldman, Windsor, Rannion, Milner; Grimbert

A voice teacher and early music fan

George Peabody | Planet Earth | 03/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A FOURTEEN YEAR OLD MOZART KEEPS US INTERESTED THROUGHOUT THIS RATHER LIGHT-HEARTED TALE!



In October of 1771 the Archduke Ferdinand commissioned Johann Hasse to write an opera and the young l4 year old Mozart to write a Serenata (mini-opera) for his coming marriage. Upon hearing his Serenata, Hasse supposedly said:"That lad will get us all forgotten". History tells us that Mozart wrote this in three weeks with all kinds of noises going on at the inn where he was housed . What a genius!!



The plot of this opera is no more than a ponderous allegory of the state wedding for which it was written. Ascanio(countertenor) is the son of Venus and is lined up to marry Princess Silvia (soprano),a direct descendant of Hercules. Cupid is lined up as a go-between and the plot unfolds in an easy to follow simplistic manner.



It's definitely the music of Mozart that enchants and not the story. If ever a piece of music sang as spontaneously as the birds and the angels, this occasional Serenata dashed off in three weeks is that piece of music. The work's rich inventiveness and the enthusiasm with which the composer contrives to maintain our interest throughout the most tedious of plots truly displays the genius of Mozart. This opera is a delightful piece of musical "fluff" and I love it!!!



The orchestral accompaniment is well-done as is the choral singing. Rosa Mannion is outstanding in her role as Fauno. All the singers do their roles in a grand style. But you haven't musically lived until you hear Ascanio (Chance) singing "Ah di si nobil alma". One negative comment: why didn't Naxos give us an English translation of the Libretto?



Some quotations concerning this recording: GRAMOPHONE (CRITICS CHOICE): "...the recording under the direction of Jacques Grimbert is distinguished by some of the most beautiful countertenor singing I have ever heard, from Michael Chance in the title role..."



PENGUIN GUIDE: :"The countertenor, Michael Chance, sings flawlessly in the castrato role of Ascanio....Lorna Windsor...bright and clear as Venus....an outstanding bargain in every way, a rare Mozart that for most will be a delightful discovery."



GRAMOPHONE: "The singing of Michael Chance is truly in a class of its own...Jill Feldman....is secure and always musicianly...Rosa Manion is very impressive... the tenor role of Alceste is sung with good, full-blooded tone and gracefully phrased by Howard Milner."

"

A very good account of Ascanio in Alba

Stephen | Melbourne, Australia | 11/02/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I would probably rate this recording 4.5. Although there is no mention of it in the CD liner notes this is a period instrument recording. Although sounding a little thin in places (perhaps due to record engineering) the orchestra overall sound fantastic, as does the chorus. The soloists also surprised me. I naturally thought that with a starry cast on the Philips rival set these singers wouldn't stand a chance-I was totally wrong!!! Lorna Windsor as Venus sings beautifully as does counter-tenor Michael Chance (Ascanio), a better account than Baltsa. The real surprise is Rosa Mannion and the famous coloratura aria for Fauno "Dal tuo gentil sembiante". I hate to say it as I'm a big fan of Arleen Auger, but Mannion clearly surpasses her. She has no trouble whatsoever, compared with Auger who sounds like shes onto dear life at the edge of a cliff! My only reservation, the recitatives are a bit boring and a few passages of insecure vocal technique. Overall a good recording!"

Mozart at the ripe old age of fifteen years old.....

Sam | Seahurst, Washington | 09/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mozart at the age of 15 wrote this charming, ever inventive `festa teatrale' for the coronation of the Archduke Ferdinand to an Italian princess in Milan in 1771. A court entertainment rather than an opera proper, it designedly identifies characters in a classical story, with the bride and bridegroom taking part in a delightful and original closing trio. The Naxos version easily outshines previous recordings with a lightly sprung, stylishly conducted performance featuring an outstanding cast. The counter-tenor, Michael Chance, sings flawlessly in the castrato role of Ascanio, son of Venus, even-toned and brilliantly flexible. The others are fresh-toned too. Lorna Windsor, bright and clear as Venus, is nicely contrasted with the girlish-sounding Silvia of Jill Feldman, who sings with fine assurance in one of the two extended arias. The other, even more extended and demanding, is given to Fauno, with Rosa Mannion arguably the most accomplished soloist of all. The excellent tenor taking the role of Aceste is Howard Milner. Well recorded with transparent textures, if with chorus backwardly balanced, this makes an outstanding bargain in every way, rare Mozart that for most will be a delightful discovery."