Mazzoni - Aminta / Panzarella, Ricch, Aruh-Solen, Gillot, Pardo, Real Compania Opera de Camara, Otero

Juan Batista Otero seems to enjoy searching out and recording obscure works by little known baroque composers and, as far as I am concerned, that is an excellent thing. Antonio Mazzoni is a name completely unknown to me but this recording of his opera 'Aminta' is hugely enjoyable. It is a setting of the same story told in Mozart's early opera 'Il Re Pastore' and includes a version of the famous aria from that piece 'L'amero, saro costante'.The cast is headed by the excellent French soprano Anna Maria Panzarella in the title role. I especially enjoyed her beautiful Act 2 aria 'Ah per voi la plante umile'. Celine Ricci is suitably vigorous as the princess Tamiri and Delphine Gillot is lovely as Elisa. Mezzo soprano Marina Pardo displays an unwieldly but nevertheless striking voice as Agenore and I very much enjoyed the clear, high tenor of Leif Ahrun-Solen. The orchestral playing is lively and fun and there are many splendid arias, mainly up tempo. An unusual piece well worth seeking out.

El gran Mazzoni es un completo desconocido por parte doble. Por un lado, fue Maestro de Capilla de San Petronio, pero la propia capilla no lo menciona entre sus compositores destacados. Como Maestro de barroco tardío, nos presenta aquí una obra magistral y única, una ópera sensacional. La interpretación es excelente.