ALFREDO CATALANI: LA WALLY, ACT I – EBBEN? NE ANDRÒ LONTANA
Vannina Santoni, soprano | Orchestre National de Lille | Jean-Marie Zeitouni, conductor
From the album Par Amour, to be released on February 14 (Alpha Classics).
To listen, click here
Love is the central theme of soprano Vannina Santoni’s upcoming album, reflecting on her fifteen-year career through leading operatic roles and collaborations with her favourite musicians. Joined by the Orchestre National de Lille and conductor Jean-Marie Zeitouni, Santoni explores iconic arias, including Gounod, Massenet, Puccini (O mio babbino caro), Catalani (Ebben? Ne andrò lontana from La Wally), and Verdi (Ave Maria from Otello). The album also features the lesser-known aria from Franco Alfano’s Risurrezione (1904) and the duet Saint-Sulpice from Massenet’s Manon with tenor Julien Dran.
OVERVIEW
Born on May 5, 1986, in Paris, soprano Vannina Santoni brings together her Corsican and Russian heritage to craft a unique vocal identity, blending lyrical beauty with emotional intensity. After studying at the Paris Conservatoire, she quickly gained recognition on the international opera stage for her compelling performances and refined technique. Santoni has performed in prestigious venues such as the Opéra National de Paris, La Scala Milan and the Konzerthaus in Vienna. Her repertoire spans many styles, from Mozart and bel canto roles to French Romantic and verismo operas, demonstrating her remarkable versatility.
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VIVALDI: DOUBLE CONCERTO FOR TWO VIOLINS IN E FLAT MAJOR, RV515: I ALLEGRO
La Serenissima l Adrian Chandler: conductor, violin
From the Album Vivaldi: Opus 8, Vol. 1: The four seasons and other concertos. To be released February 14 (Signum Records)
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La Serenissima continues its journey through Vivaldi’s music. This time, they revisit the famous Four Seasons, along with two violin concertos and the Concerto for 2 Violins, Strings & Continuo in E-flat Major, RV 515.
In this homemade video, Adrian Chandler explains the particularities of this concerto and the tonality in which it was composed, all while preparing dinner for his family.
OVERVIEW
La Serenissima is a British early music ensemble founded in 1994 by violinist Adrian Chandler, specializing in the works of Venetian Baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi and his contemporaries. The group is recognized as the UK’s leading exponent of 18th-century Venetian music.
The ensemble’s repertoire is uniquely edited from original manuscripts or contemporary sources, ensuring authentic interpretations. Their recordings have received critical acclaim, with multiple award nominations, including the 2010 Gramophone Award for Baroque Instrumental for “Vivaldi: The French Connection.”
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