Continuo Connect — Concert // Istante Collective: Royal Academy versus Nobility Opera

16th July 6pm - Heath Street Baptist Church Hampstead NW3 1 DN

ROYAL ACADEMY versus NOBILITY OPERA
Arias for Senesino , Farinelli and Annibali Fabbri by Handel & Porpora

It’s easy to imagine Handel arriving in London from his Italian adventures, the all-conquering hero, commanding the English operatic scene for the rest of his life. He was certainly an A-list celebrity at the top of the game, and of course like any good sport, his challengers waiting to bring him down. Perhaps his most significant rival was the Opera of the Nobility. It was created in 1733, backed by the Prince of Wales, and directed by Nicola Porpora - a man who had a reputation among European composers - not a particularly favourable one. THe battle lines were drawn. A war of operas ensued, with companies fighting for both audiences and star performers, particualrly the famed castrati - Senesino and Farinelli, prima donna Anna Maria Strada and tenor Annibale Fabbri - the dream team of any European opera house. However hard they both tried, London couldn’t offer the economic condtions for either and both opera houses went bankrupt and closed their doors in 1737.

Il Groviglio and Istante Collective offers a wonderful insight into this tempestuous world and presents the most dramatic works in Handel and Porpora's operas.

The concert will be a fundraising event for Handel's Rinaldo (1733 version) first ever recording , scheduled for August 2023 at Heath Street Baptist Church for Glossa

Logan Lopez Gonzales countertenor
Marco Angioloni tenor

Il Groviglio & Istante Collective:
Nicola Barbagli - oboe/recorders || Rebecca Harris - violin || Sam Ng - Cello || Matthew Brown - harpsichord

PROGRAMME:
Handel || Triosonata in B flat major HWV 380 (largo & allegro)
Handel || Adameto - 'Chiudetevi miei lumi'
Porpora || Agrippina - 'vuó morire'
Porpora || Imeneo - 'colombe compagne'
Handel || Rodelinda - 'Vivi tiranno'

interval

Handel || sonata in F for oboe and continuo HWV363a (adagio & allegro)
Handel || Lotario - 'Son Vinto o ciel … regno grandezza'
Porpora || 'Alto Giove'
Handel || Triosonata in C minor HV386a (andante & allegro)
Handel || Il Trionfo del tempo e del disinganno - ‘Il bel pianto dell’aurora’