Michael Hofstetter、Akademie Fur Alte Musik Berlin、Lydia Teuscher、Yim Sung-hye - Telemann, Georg Philipp : Sieg der Schonheit - Import 3 CD

Credits:

Michael Hofstetter、Akademie Fur Alte Musik Berlin、Rideia Toishaa、Imu Sunhae

Description:

[A Complete Recording of Telemann’s Opera *The Triumph of Beauty*, Conducted by a HIP Specialist!] Telemann, known for his prolific output, is said to have written over 50 operas, though most have been lost; only seven are believed to survive in nearly complete form. While numerous recordings of Telemann’s works exist, recordings of his operas are rare, making this album a valuable treasure. In 1721, Telemann was appointed music director of the Free Hanseatic City of Hamburg. The following year, the city’s opera house was rebuilt, and Telemann took on the roles of music director and opera composer. The German-language opera *The Triumph of Beauty* was the first opera Telemann wrote for this opera house and stands as a monumental work marking its reopening. The libretto is based on *The Campaigns of Genseric, the Great King of the Vandals of Africa, Against Rome and Carthage* by Christian Heinrich Postel (1656–1701), the most renowned poet and playwright in 17th-century Hamburg. Set against the backdrop of the sack of Rome by the Vandals led by King Genseric in 455, the story depicts the love and marriage between the Vandals and the Roman queen and princess. Although Telemann did not alter the characters or the plot when composing the music, he made slight changes to the order of the scenes, the dialogue, and particularly the choral and ballet scenes. At the premiere on July 13, 1722, the music Telemann had prepared was so extensive that some cuts were necessary; however, the production—which reportedly featured lavish stage sets and costumes—was a resounding success and remained in the repertoire until November of that year. It was revived 11 times the following year, and records indicate it continued to be revived for many years thereafter. Despite this overwhelming acclaim, apart from seven performance scripts, neither Telemann’s autograph score from the premiere nor the full score or parts survive in Hamburg; only a few altered arias have been preserved. However, the score used for the 1728 performance in Braunschweig—a city with ties to the Hamburg theater—has survived, and this recording is based on that score. For the Braunschweig production of *The Triumph of Beauty*, numerous changes were made—including adjustments to the vocal ranges of the characters, alterations to the orchestration, and the addition of new pieces—due to the availability of the singers and orchestra. These changes are believed to have been made by Georg Kaspar Schulmann, the music director of the local opera house; however, it is also thought that some of the arias were composed by Karl Heinrich Graun, who was active in the region at the time. Furthermore, following Act I, Scene 1, “Battaglia” from Handel’s *Radamist* (premiered in London in 1720) has been added. While it cannot be said that the entire score is the work of Telemann, the opportunity to hear this magnificent opera is a true treat for fans of Baroque opera. Naxos Japan