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An Invitation from Cardinal Mazarin

Donald Macleod explores the demise of Cavalli's operatic career following his visit to France in 1660 to compose an opera for the marriage of Louis XIV.

In the late 1650s, Cavalli received one of the highest honours of all, an invitation from Cardinal Mazarin to compose an opera for one of the dynastic and political events of the century - the marriage of Louis XIV of France. Things didn't go quite as well as Cavalli had hoped, however, and Donald Macleod takes us through the composer's ill-fated visit to France, and his subsequent demise in the realms of opera.

1 hour

Last on

Thu 21 Jul 2011 18:30

Music Played

  • Francesco Cavalli

    Statira prinsipessa di Persia - opera seria in 3 acts and a prologue

    Performer: Antonio FLORIO - Director Performer: Giuseppe de VITTORIO - Tenor Performer: Maria ERCOLANO - Soprano Performer: Maria Grazia SCHIAVO - Soprano Performer: Roberta ANDALO - Soprano Performer: Rosario TOTARO - Tenor Performer: Capella Della Pieta De' Turchini

    • NAIVE RECORDS.
    • OP-30382.
  • Francesco Cavalli

    Ormindo - opera in a prologue and 3 acts

    Conductor: Raymond LEPPARD Performer: Anne HOWELLS - Mezzo-soprano Performer: Federico DAVIA - Bass Performer: Hanneke van BORK - Soprano Performer: John WAKEFIELD - Tenor Performer: Peter-Christophe RUNGE - Baritone Performer: Richard van ALLAN - Bass Performer: Glyndebourne Touring Opera Orchestra Performer: London Philharmonic Orchestra

    • DECCA.
    • 444-529-2.
  • Francesco Cavalli

    Orimonte - opera in a prologue and 3 acts

    Conductor: Raymond LEPPARD Performer: Frederica von STADE - Mezzo-soprano Performer: Scottish Chamber Orchestra

    • ERATO.
    • EDC-88100.
  • Francesco Cavalli

    Xerse - opera in a prologue and 3 acts

    Conductor: Raymond LEPPARD Performer: Frederica von STADE - Mezzo-soprano Performer: Scottish Chamber Orchestra

    • ERATO.
    • EDC-88100.
  • Francesco Cavalli

    Ercole amante - opera

    Performer: Celine RICCI - Soprano Performer: Florian WESTPHAL - Baritone Performer: Francois-Nicolas GESLOT - Counter-tenor Performer: Francoise MASSET - Soprano Performer: Hugo REYNE - Director Performer: Jean-Denis MONORY - Speaker Performer: Marais Chamber Orchestra Performer: Marais Choir

    • ACCORD.
    • 442-9894.
  • Francesco Cavalli

    Eliogabalo - opera

    Performer: Andrew KING - Tenor Performer: James TYLER - Director Performer: London Early Music Group

    • HYPERION.
    • cda-66153.

Broadcasts

  • Thu 13 Nov 2008 12:00
  • Thu 13 Nov 2008 22:00
  • Thu 21 Jul 2011 12:00
  • Thu 21 Jul 2011 18:30

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