Porpora Il Maestro

Following a successful first album on naïve, Arias for Caffarelli, this new recording of Franco Fagioli, the hit countertenor in Europe, offers 12 opera arias by Nicola Porpora, who was both a composer and a teacher - of Caffarelli, Senesino and Farinelli, among many others.

Franco Fagioli, through his amazing virtuosity and breathtaking emotional power, pays tribute to the original and refined vocal art nurtured by Porpora in the framework of Naples in the 18th century.

The recording features hits such as Polifemo's 'Alto Giove' but also lesser-known scores, performed with the baroque specialists of Academia Montis Regalis, conducted by Alessandro de Marchi: Ezio, Meride e Selinunte, Semiramide riconosciuta, Didone abbandonata, Il verbo in carne, Carlo il calvo, Vulcano, Il ritiro.

'To learn by singing his arias, what a joy, and what a challenge! His special way of writing, full of trills, long passages of coloraturas, endless long phrases in melancholic arias . . . So emotional, deep and effective at the same time . . . As a great teacher he was, after some of his arias you are ready to sing any other baroque aria.

What an honour to sing your music. What an honour to feel in my body the music you wrote. Thank you! See you in the next lesson!
Grazie maestro!'
-- Franco Fagioli