Born in 1749, Cimarosa was one of Europe’s leading composers at the end of the 18th century. It was during his most productive period that he produced his Olimpiade, a grand opera seria transformed into a sumptuous bel canto drama. Here Cimarosa brings heroism to the athletes competing in Olympia in the Games, the winner of which will marry the Princess Aristea: seemingly inextricable, the plot allows the composer to compose some of the most extraordinary arias ever composed to Metastasio’s libretto. Christophe Rousset, a great champion of the fin-de-siècle Italian repertoire, carries off a dazzling cast in this bel-cante hurricane!
Recorded from 18 to 22 December 2023 at the Salle Colonne (Paris).
2CD Château de Versailles Spectacles – CVS143
