A Royal Trio: Arias by Handel, Bononcini & Ariosti

Featuring

David Bates
Lawrence Zazzo
La Nuova Musica
Attilio Ariosti
George Frideric Handel
Giovanni Maria Bononcini

Antonio Maria Bononcini

Did you know?

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Historical Context

The Royal Academy of Music, a joint-stock company, was established in London in 1719 by 73 British aristocrats to produce Italian opera.

Historical Context

After the Royal Academy of Music's collapse in 1728, George Frideric Handel gained sole artistic responsibility for opera in London, diversifying operatic subjects and introducing English oratorios.

Critical Reception

In 1723, John Gay complained that the London public had become obsessed with music, debating the styles of Handel, Bononcini, and Ariosti, and voting the castrato Senesino 'the greatest man that ever lived'.

Composer Biography

Attilio Ariosti, a third principal composer for the Royal Academy, was a monk, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and diplomat.

Composer Biography

George Frideric Handel, who had been living in London for seven years, was appointed the salaried 'Master of the Orchester' for the Royal Academy of Music.

Recording & Production

For this recording, the performers created a hybrid version of Bononcini's 'Così stanco pellegrino' from Crispo, combining three existing delightful versions.

Historical Context

Giovanni Bononcini, a Modenese cellist, was already popular in London before joining the Royal Academy of Music; his opera Il trionfo di Camilla had been performed 63 times between 1706 and 1709.