These lists show the audio and visual recordings of the opera L'Orfeo by Claudio Monteverdi. The opera was first performed in Mantua in 1607, at the court of Duke Vincenzo Gonzaga, and is one of the earliest of all operas. The first recording of L'Orfeo was issued in 1939, a freely adapted version of Monteverdi's music edited by Giacomo Benvenuti,[1] given by the orchestra of La Scala Milan conducted by Ferrucio Calusio.[2][3][4] In 1949 the Berlin Radio Orchestra under Helmut Koch recorded the complete opera, on long-playing records (LPs). The advent of LP recordings was, as Harold Schonberg later wrote, an important factor in the postwar revival of interest in Renaissance and Baroque music,[5] and from the mid-1950s recordings of L'Orfeo have been issued on many labels. Koch's landmark version was reissued in 1962, when it was compared unfavourably with others that had by then been issued.[6] The 1969 recording by Nicholas Harnoncourt and the Vienna Concentus Musicus, using Harnoncourt's edition based on period instruments, was praised for "making Monteverdi's music sound something like the way he imagined".[7] In 1981 Siegfried Heinrich, with the Early Music Studio of the Hesse Chamber Orchestra, recorded a version which re-created the original Striggio libretto ending, adding music from Monteverdi's 1616 ballet Tirsi e Clori for the Bacchante scenes.[8] Among more recent recordings, that of Emmanuelle Haïm has been praised for its dramatic effect. The 21st century has seen the issue of an increasing number of recordings on DVD and Blu-ray.

Audio

edit
Year of recording Cast
Orfeo; Euridice; La musica; Messenger; Proserpina
Opera house/Orchestra
Conductor
Label and year of issue Notes Refs[9][10]
1939 Enrico de Franceschi
Ginevra Vivante (Euridice and La musica)
Elena Nicolai
Vittoria Palombini
Orchestra of La Scala Milan
Ferruccio Calusio
78 rpm: La Voce del Padrone DB 5370-5381
CD (2004): Walhall Eternity Series WLCD 0060 (2 CDs)
First complete recording (Milan, December 1939) [3]

[4] [8]

1949 Max Meili
Elfriede Trötschel
Eva Fleischer
Gerda Lammers (Messenger and Proserpina)
Orchester des Berliner Rundfunks
Helmut Koch
LP Eterna 821 036 {3 discs}
CD (2001) Berlin Classics 0094342BC (2 CDS)
Performed in German, first LP version [6]

[8]

1954 Gino Sinimberghi
Uta Graf
Patricia Brinton (La musica)
Wiener Singakedemie and Vienna Symphony Orchestra
Paul Hindemith
CD (2010): Andromeda, ANDRCD9069 (2 CDs), also
CD (2010) Music & Arts - MA1237 (2 CDs)
Recorded at the Konzerthaus, Vienna on 3 June 1954, an attempt to reconstruct the first performance of the opera in 1607. Not issued as a recording until 2010 [11]
1955 Helmut Krebs
Hanni Mack-Cosack
Margot Guilleaume (La musica and Proserpina)
Jeanne Deroubaix
Orchester der Sommerlichen Musiktage Hitzacker, Hamburg
August Wenzinger
LP: Deutsche Grammophon
Archive APM 4057-4058 {2 discs}
[8]

[12]

1960 Gérard Souzay
Judith Raskin
Doris Yarick
Regina Sarfaty
Evelyn Sachs
New York City Opera
Leopold Stokowski
CD (2006): Mitridate Ponto PO 1046 (2 CDs) Recording of a live performance by the New York City Opera, 29 September 1960, recording not issued until 2006 [13]
1968 Eric Tappy
Magali Schwartz
Wally Staempfli
Laura Sarti
Juliette Bise
Ensemble Vocal et Instrumental de Lausanne
Michel Corboz
LP: Erato STU 70440-42 (3 discs)
CD (1995): Erato 4509-98531-2
[8]

[14]

1969 Lajos Kozma
Rotraud Hansmann (Euridice and La musica)
Cathy Berberian
Eiko Katanosaka
Concentus Musicus Wien
Nikolaus Harnoncourt
LP: Telefunken SKH 21/1-3 (3 discs)
CD (1985): Teldec ZA 8 35020 {2CDS}
Later CD release (2008):
Teldec 2292 42494-2 (2CDS)
[7]

[8] [15]

1973 Nigel Rogers
Emilia Petrescu (Euridice and La musica)
Anna Reynolds (Messenger and Proserpina)
Instralmentalsolisten Camerata Accademica Hamburg
Jürgen Jürgens
LP: Deutsche Grammophon
Archiv Produktion 2723 018 (3 discs)
CD (1996) Deutsche Grammophon Archiv 447 703-2 (2 CDs)
1978 Philippe Huttenlocher
Dietlinde Turban
Trudeliese Schmidt
Glenys Linos (Messenger and Proserpina)
Monteverdi Ensemble der Zürcher Oper
Nikolaus Harnoncourt
CD (1989): Teldec 8 35807
(part of Zürich Monteverdi Cycle, 6 CDS)
[8]
1980 Joachim Seipp
Melinda Liebermann
Rosemarie Bühler
Heide Blanca-Roeser
Rochelle Travis
Bad Hersfeld Festival 1980
Siegfried Heinrich
LP (1982): Jubilate JU 85810-2 (3 discs) [8]

[16]

1983 Nigel Rogers
Patrizia Kwella
Emma Kirkby
Guillemette Laurens
Jennifer Smith
London Baroque Ensemble,
London Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble
Charles Medlam
LP (1985): EMI EX 2701313 {3 discs}
CD (1986) EMI 7 47142-8 {2 CDs}
Later CD issues in 1994 (EMI) and 2005 (Virgin) [8]

[15] [17]

1985 Gino Quilico
Audrey Michael
Colette Alliot-Lugaz
Carolyn Watkinson
Danièle Borst
Opéra National de Lyon
Michel Corboz
LP (1985): Erato 75212 {2 discs}
CD (1985) Erato 88133 {2 CDs}
Recorded from film soundtrack
1986 Anthony Rolfe-Johnson
Julianne Baird
Lynne Dawson
Anne Sofie von Otter
Diana Montague
English Baroque Soloists, Monteverdi Choir
John Eliot Gardiner
LP (1987): Deutsche Grammophon
Archiv Produktion 419 250-1 (2 discs)
CD 919870 DG Archiv Produktion 419 250-2 {2 CDs}
[15]

[18]

1991 John Mark Ainsley
Julia Gooding
Catherine Bott (La musica, Messenger, Proserpina)
New London Consort
Philip Pickett
CD (1993): Decca L'Oiseau Lyre 433 545-2 {2 CDs} [15]

[19]

1993 Jeffrey Thomas
Dana Hanchard (Euridice and La musica)
Jennifer Lane
Jessica Tanzillo
Art of the Early Keyboard
Gwendolyn Toth
CD (1996): Lyrichord LEMS 9002 {2 CDs}
1995 Laurence Dale
Efrat Ben-Nun (Euridice and La musica)
Jennifer Larmore
Bernarda Fink
Concerto Vocale
René Jacobs
CD (1995): Harmonia Mundi 901 553.54 (2 CDs) [15]

[20]

1996 Alessandro Carmignani
Marinella Pannicchi (Euridice and La musica)
Rosita Frisani (Messenger and Proserpina)
Capella Musicale di San Petronio di Bologna
Sergio Vartolo
CD (1998): Naxos 8.554094-95 {2 CDs}
1996 Victor Torres
Adriana Fernández
María Cristina Kiehr
Gloria Banditelli
Roberta Invernizzi
Ensemble Elyma
Gabriel Garrido
CD (1996): K617 K617066 {2 CDs} Reissued by K617 in 2007 [15]

[21]

2000 Gareth Morell
Sandra Simon (Euridice and La musica)
Meredith Hall (Messenger and Proserpina)
Apollo's Fire
Jeannette Sorrell
CD (2001): Eclectra ECCD 2052 {2 CDs} Sung in English
2003 Ian Bostridge
Patrizia Ciofi
Natalie Dessay
Alice Coote
Véronique Gens
Le Concert d'Astrée
Emmanuelle Haïm
CD (2004): Virgin Classics 5 45642-2 {2 CDs} [15]

[22] [23]

2004 Kobie van Rensburg
Cyrille Gerstenhaber
Estelle Kaïque (Messenger)
Delphine Gillot (Proserpina)
La Grande Ecurie et la Chambre du Roy
Jean-Claude Malgoire
CD (2005): Dynamic DYNCDS 477 {2 CDs} Recording of a live performance at Tourcoing in October 2004. The role of La musica was shared between three singers. [24]
2006 William Matteuzzi
Sylva Pozzer (Euridice and La musica)
Sara Mingardo (Messenger and Proserpina)
Ensemble Instrumental
Sergio Vartolo
CD (2006) Brilliant Classics 93103 {2 CDs} [25]
2006 Mirko Guadagnini
Emanuela Galli (Euridice and La musica)
Marina De Liso
Christina Calzolari
La Venexiana
Claudio Cavina
CD (2007): Glossa GLO 920913 {2 CDs} Recorded in the Iglesia di San Carlo, Modena, February 2006 [26]
2006 Frank Kelley
Roberta Anderson
Laurie Monahan (La musica and Messenger)
Sharon Baker
Aston Magna
Daniel Stepner
CD (2008): Centaur Records 2931/2 {2 CDs}
2007 Furio Zanasi
Anna Simboli (Eurydice and Prosperina)
Monica Piccinini
Sara Mingardo
Concerto Italiano
Rinaldo Alessandrini
CD (2007): Naïve OP 30439 {2 CDs} [27]
2013 Charles Daniels
Faye Newton
David Hurley
Emily Van Evera (Messenger and Proserpina)
Taverner Consort and Players, Andrew Parrott
CD (2013): Avie AV2278 {2 CDs} [28]
2020 Emiliano Gonzalez Toro,
Emőke Baráth,
Emőke Baráth,
Natalie Pérez,
Mathilde Etienne
Ensemble Vocal de Poche;
I Gemelli,
Emiliano Gonzalez Toro
CD (2020): Naïve V 7176 {2 CDs} Recorded 2–10 January, Corum, Montpellier [29][30]
2021 Federico Bardazzi

Ensemble San Felice

2021 / Bongiovanni

Video

edit
Year of recording Cast
Orfeo; Euridice; La musica; Messenger; Proserpina
Opera house/Orchestra
Conductor
Label and year of issue Notes Refs[9][10]
1978 Philippe Huttenlocher
Dietlinde Turban
Trudeliese Schmidt
Glenys Linos (Messenger and Proserpina)
Monteverdi Ensemble der Zürcher Oper
Nikolaus Harnoncourt
DVD (2007): Deutsche Grammophon 073 4163 Originally performed as a television film. Also issued on DVD as part of a 3-opera set, DG Unitel 073 4278 (5 DVDs) [31]
1997 John Mark Ainsley
Juanita Lascarro
David Cordier
Brigitte Balleys
Bernarda Fink
Concerto Palatino, Tragicomedia
Stephen Stubbs
DVD (2005): Opus Arte OA 0928 (Europe); Opus Arte OA 0929 (USA) Recording of a performance by De Nederlandse Opera Amsterdam, September 1997 (stage direction: Pierre Audi) [32]
1998 Simon Keenlyside
Juanita Lascarro (Euridice and La musica)
Graciela Oddone
Martina Dike
Concerto Vocale, Collegium Vocale Gent
René Jacobs
DVD (2006) Harmonia Mundi France HMD 9909003/04 Recording of a performance at the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie, 21 May 1998. [33]

[34]

2002 Furio Zanasi
Arianna Savall
Montserrat Figueras
Sara Mingardo
Adriana Fernández
Le Concert des Nations
Jordi Savall
DVD (2002): BBC/Opus Arte OA 0842D Recording of a performance in the Gran Teatre del Liceu, 31 January 2002 [15]

[35]

2004 Kobie van Rensburg
Cyrille Gerstenhaber
Estelle Kaïque (Messenger)
Delphine Gillot (Proserpina)
La Grande Ecurie et la Chambre du Roy
Jean-Claude Malgoire
DVD (2005): Dynamic 33477 Recording of a live performance at Tourcoing in October 2004. The role of La musica was shared between three singers. [36]
2008 Dietrich Henschel
Maria Grazia Schiavo (Euridice, La musica and Prosperina)
Sonia Prina
Les Arts Florissants - Les Sacqueboutiers
William Christie
DVD (2009): Dynamic 33598 Live performance, Teatro Real, Madrid, May 2008 [37]
2009 Georg Nigl
Roberta Invernizzi (Euridice and La musica)
Sara Mingardo
Raffaella Milanesi
Teatro alla Scala,
Rinaldo Alessandrini
Blu-ray (2011): Opus Arte Live performance, Milan, 21, 23 September 2009. Stage director: Robert Wilson [38]
2017 Cyril Auvity
Hannah Morrison (Euridice and La musica)
Lea Desandre
Miriam Allan
Les Arts Florissants,
Paul Agnew
Blu-ray (2017): Harmonia Mundi Live performance, Théâtre de Caen, 28 February 2017. Stage director: Paul Agnew [39]

[40]

References

edit
Notes
  1. ^ Fortune, "The rediscovery of Orfeo" p. 93
  2. ^ "Continental Record Issues". Gramophone. London: Haymarket. June 1944. Archived from the original on 2012-08-01. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  3. ^ a b "Monteverdi - L'Orfeo - Milan 1939 - Calusio". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
  4. ^ a b "On-line catalogue entry WLCD0060 Monteverdi - L'Orfeo - Calusio". Crotchet.co.uk. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  5. ^ Fortune, "The rediscovery of Orfeo" p. 109
  6. ^ a b "Review - Monteverdi - L'Orfeo - Koch". Gramophone. November 1962. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
  7. ^ a b "Review - Monteverdi - L'Orfeo - Harnoncourt". Gramophone. March 1970. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i Whenham et al, pp. 203–05
  9. ^ a b "34 recordings of L'Orfeo by Claudio Monteverdi on file". Operadis. Retrieved 29 August 2010.
  10. ^ a b "Monteverdi: L'Orfeo - list of recordings". Presto Classical. Retrieved 29 August 2010.
  11. ^ "Review - Monteverdi - L'Orfeo - Hindemith". Answers.com. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
  12. ^ "Review - Monteverdi - L'Orfeo - Wenzinger". Gramophone. December 1956. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
  13. ^ "Review - Monteverdi - L'Orfeo - Stokowski". Classical Net. 2007. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
  14. ^ "Review - Monteverdi - L'Orfeo - Corboz". Gramophone. December 1970. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h Ringer, p. 311
  16. ^ "Review - Monteverdi - L'Orfeo - Heinrich". Gramophone. March 1982. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
  17. ^ "Review - Monteverdi - L'Orfeo - Medlam". Gramophone. April 1994. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
  18. ^ "Review - Monteverdi - L'Orfeo - Gardiner". Gramophone. December 1987. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  19. ^ "Review - Monteverdi - L'Orfeo - Pickett". Gramophone. February 1993. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
  20. ^ "Review - Monteverdi - L'Orfeo - Jacobs". Gramophone. December 1995. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
  21. ^ "Review - Monteverdi - L'Orfeo - Garrido". Gramophone. October 1998. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
  22. ^ "Review - Monteverdi - L'Orfeo - Haïm". Gramophone. May 2004. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
  23. ^ "Review - Monteverdi - L'Orfeo - Haim". Classics Today (Robert Levine). April 2004. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
  24. ^ "Review - Monteverdi - L'Orfeo - Malgoire". Answers.com. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
  25. ^ "Review - Monteverdi operas - Vartolo". Fanfare. August 2010. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
  26. ^ "Review - Monteverdi - L'Orfeo - Cavina". Classical Net. 2008. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
  27. ^ "Review - Monteverdi - L'Orfeo - Alessandrini". Classics Today (Robert Levine). February 2008. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
  28. ^ "MONTEVERDI Orfeo". Gramophone. June 2013. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  29. ^ Brian Robins, "Opera on CD: Orfeo, Monteverdi, Disc of the Month", Opera, December 2020, pp. 1484–1485.
  30. ^ Iain Fenlon, Review - Monteverdi - Orfeo - Toro, Gramophone, December 2020, pp. 94–95.
  31. ^ "Review - Monteverdi - L'Orfeo - Harnoncourt DVD" (in French). Forum Opera (Sophie Roughol). Retrieved 20 September 2010.
  32. ^ "Review - Monteverdi - L'Orfeo - Stubbs DVD". Music & Vision (Robert Anderson). January 2006. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  33. ^ "Review - Monteverdi - L'Orfeo - Jacobs DVD". Gramophone. March 2007. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
  34. ^ "Review - Monteverdi - L'Orfeo - Jacobs DVD". Classics Today (Robert Levine). March 2007. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
  35. ^ "Review - Monteverdi - L'Orfeo - Savall DVD". Classical Net (Raymond Tuttle). 2003. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  36. ^ "Review - Monteverdi - L'Orfeo - Malgoire DVD". Gramophone. November 2005. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
  37. ^ "Opera review - Monteverdi - L'Orfeo - 13 May 2008 at Teatro Real". MusicWeb International (José Irurzun). May 2008. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  38. ^ La Scala, 2009, OCLC 740891644.
  39. ^ Caen, 2017, OCLC 1022157082.
  40. ^ David Vickers, Review of performance at Caen, 2017, Gramophone, December 2017, pp. 7 (Editor's Choice), 112–113 (review).
Sources