About this release
Extended Place released this EP on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. It presents two cantatas by Händel—Lucrezia (HWV 145) and Partì, l'idolo mio (HWV 147), both composed during the young Händel's stay in Italy—in the intense and moving interpretation of Gemma Bertagnolli, with Giovanni Togni on harpsichord and Marco Frezzato on cello. "Singing Lucrezia today. In a present where violence is exhibited and documented through pictures, interviews, public commentary and public courts, we hereby voice Lucrezia's solitary despair. We tell of an intimate and lonely grief that, without any witnesses or extenuating circumstances, reveals a Roman Lucrezia who opts for death to retain her honour after having endured the violence of Sextus Tarquinius. As I lent Lucrezia my voice, the dreadful timeliness of her despair flowed through me. My hope is that through the beauty of Händel's music, we may find a hidden chance for solace." — Gemma Bertagnolli
The release includes liner notes by Gemma Bertagnolli and the sung texts in Italian and English.
Programme
- Suite in F minor, HWV 433: Prélude
- O Numi eterni! (recitativo)
- Già superbo del mio affanno (aria)
- Ma voi forse nel Cielo (recitativo)
- Il suol che preme (aria)
- Ah! che ancor nell'abisso (recitativo)
- Questi la disperata (furioso)
- Alla salma infedel (arioso)
- A voi, padre, consorte (recitativo)
- Già nel seno comincia (arioso)
- Ma se qui non m'è dato (furioso)
- Varie Introduttioni per sonare: Introdutione Quinta
- Partì, l'idolo mio (recitativo)
- La bella vita mia (aria)
- Oh voi che m'ascoltate (recitativo)
- Tormentosa, crudele partita (aria)
