Gluck Arias
£12.00
“Hallenberg combines extraordinary vocal versatility with an expressive capacity that allows her to move naturally between pyrotechnic virtuosity and the most delicate emotional introspection.”
– Marçal Borotau, SONOGRAMA
Ian Page and The Mozartists’ latest recording, which will be released on Signum Classics on 26 September 2025, is a programme of Gluck arias sung by the celebrated Swedish mezzo-soprano Ann Hallenberg.
The backbone of the programme is provided by three arias from Il trionfo di Clelia (Bologna, 1763) that were written for the renowned castrato Giovanni Manzuoli (1720-1782) – one of the greatest singers of his day – and the disc also includes previously unrecorded arias from Ipermestra (Venice, 1744) and Le nozze d’Ercole e d’Ebe (Dresden, 1747). Also featured is Gluck’s revised version of the exquisite “Che puro ciel” from Orfeo ed Euridice (written for Parma in 1769), and the popular “O del mio dolce ardor” from the last of the composer’s three so-called ‘reform’ operas, Paride ed Elena.
Ann Hallenberg is a two-time winner of the ‘Best Operatic Recital’ Award at the International Opera Awards, while Ian Page’s previous Gluck recording with The Mozartists (‘Blessed Spirit – a Gluck retrospective’) was selected by Gramophone magazine among the top 10 Gluck recordings of all time. Following previous partnerships in the opera house and the concert hall, this is Hallenberg and Page’s first collaboration in the recording studio.
1 “Resta, o cara” from Il trionfo di Clelia
2 “O del mio dolce ardor” from Paride ed Elena
3-4 “No, che torni sì presto… Io non pretendo, o stelle” from Ipermestra*
5 Dance of the Blessed Spirits from Orfeo ed Euridice
6 “Che puro ciel” from Orfeo ed Euridice (1769 version)
7 “Misera, dove son?… Ah, non son io” from Ezio
8 “Saper ti basti, o cara” from Il trionfo di Clelia
9 “Di questa cetra in seno” from Il Parnaso confuso
10 “Maggior follia non v’è” from La Semiramide riconosciuta
11 “L’augellin da lacci sciolto” from Le nozze d’Ercole e d’Ebe*
12 “De’ folgori di Giove” from Il trionfo di Clelia
* première recording
Hear conductor Ian Page and Gramophone Editor Martin Cullingford talk about the music of the 18th-century composer Gluck, setting him in the context of musical developments of his time on Gramophone’s podcast. This conversation marks the release of the new album from The Mozartists with soloist Ann Hallenberg, released on Signum Classics.
