The Enlightenment brought a new philosophical current that distinguished between 'ratio' (reason) and 'emotio' (emotion), seeking to combine them in art, especially opera.
Performer Biography
Charlotte Schäfer, the coloratura soprano on this album, debuted in 2012 singing Mozart's Aspasia arias from Mitridate, re di Ponto, which are also featured on this recording.
Compositional Technique
The Age of Sensibility demanded that opera soloists demonstrate immense flexibility, alternating between furious coloratura and lyrical passages within a single aria to portray character.
Recording & Production
This debut album features mostly forgotten Italian bravura arias, many of which are recorded here for the first time.
Performer Biography
Michael Preiser, the conductor, has newly edited several of the arias on this album from manuscript sources as part of his research into early Classical music.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Enlightenment opera composers aimed for a 'unity of sentiment' in musical expression, moving beyond the Baroque's dramatic swings of emotion to a more nuanced character portrayal.
Album & Artwork
The album title, 'Sol nascente' (rising sun), symbolizes the musical upheavals of the era, marking a shift from Baroque to a new epoch.
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