Freiburg Baroque Orchestra: Handel's Resurrezione

Program:
George Frideric Handel
La Resurrezione di Nostro Signor Gesù Cristo HWV 47
Oratorio in two parts

Robin Johannsen, soprano
Giulia Semenzato, soprano
Helena Rasker, alto
Mark Milhofer, Tenor
Luigi De Donato, Bass
Freiburg Baroque Orchestra
René Jacobs, conductor

In 1708, no operas were allowed to be performed in Rome during the papal Lent. George Frideric Handel therefore created an oratorio, "La Resurrezione", which is in no way inferior to opera in its dramatic power. The libretto by Carlo Sigismondo Capece was written in the environment of the Accademia dell'Arcadia, a Roman scholarly society that advocated clarity and natural expression against the exuberance of the Baroque. It depicts the events between Good Friday and Easter morning. Angels, Mary Magdalene, John and even Lucifer enter into a musical dialog of doubt, hope and triumph.

The premiere on Easter Sunday in the palazzo of the Marchese Ruspoli was a social event of the highest order. Arcangelo Corelli, himself a member of the Accademia, conducted the orchestra, the instrumentation was luxurious and the décor sumptuous. Contrary to the rule that women were not allowed to perform, the role of Maria Maddalena was sung by a soprano. A reprimand from the Pope followed immediately.

With "La Resurrezione", the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra is continuing its long-standing collaboration with René Jacobs, which is one of the most influential partnerships in historical performance practice.