Claudio Monteverdis Orfeo, premiered in February 1607, is the oldest opera still in repertoire today. The work fell into oblivion for more than three centuries, and it was only in 1927 that the first printed score was reprinted in a facsimile edition. But while the score gave fairly clear directions to vocalists, it lacked specificity in notating the instrumental parts, leaving many vital choices, including what instruments to use, up to the performers. A number of late-Romantic versions followed, but it was only in 1943 that Paul Hindemith published his thoroughly researched score which attempted to reconstruct the style and instrumentation of Monteverdi's first performance.

Tracklist:

Interview With Paul Hindemith On His Recording Of The Symphony Mathis Der Maler
Sacrae Symphoniae: Virtue Magna
Sacrae Symphoniae: Canzon Septimi Et Octavi Toni
Sacrae Symphoniae: Nunc Dimittis
L'orfeo: Prologo: Dal Mio Permesso Amato A Voi Ne Vengo (La Musica)
L'orfeo: Act I: Pastore
L'orfeo: Act I: Lasciate I Monti (Chorus)
L'orfeo: Act I: Rosa Del Ciel, Vita Del Mondo E Degna (Orfeo, Chorus)
L'orfeo: Act I: Ma S'il Nostro Gioir Dal Ciel Deriva (Shepherd)
L'orfeo: Act II: Sinfonia: Ecco Purch'a Voi Ritorno (Orfeo)
L'orfeo: Act II: Mira Che Se N'alletta (Orfeo)
L'orfeo: Act II: Ritornello - VI Ricorda, O Boschi Amorosi (Orfeo, Shepherd 1)
L'orfeo: Act II: Ahi Caso Acerbo - In Un Fiorito Prato Con L'altre Sue Compagne (Messaggiera, Shepherd)
L'orfeo: Act II: Tu Sei Morta, Mia Vita, Ed Io Respiro? (Orfeo)
L'orfeo: Act II: Ahi, Caso Acerbo! (Chorus)
L'orfeo: Act II: Chi Ne Consola, Ahi Lassi? (Shepherds 1 And 3)
L'orfeo: Act II: Ahi, Caso Acerbo! Ahi Fat'empio E Crudele (Chorus)
L'orfeo: Act III: Part I
L'orfeo: Act III. O Tu Ch'innanzi Morte (Caronte)
L'orfeo: Act III: Possente Spirto, E Formidabil Nume (Orfeo, Caronte)
L'orfeo: Act III: Ben MI Lusinga Alquanto Dilettandomi IL Core (Caronte, Orfeo)
L'orfeo: Act III: Ei Dorme, E La Mia Cetra (Orfeo)
L'orfeo: Act III: Nulla Impressa Per Uom Si Tenta Invano (Chorus Of The Spirits Of Hell)
L'orfeo: Act IV: Part I
L'orfeo: Act IV: Benche Severo Ed Immutabil Fato (Plutone, Chorus Of Spirits, Chorus Of The Spirits Of Hell, Prosepina)
L'orfeo: Act IV: O De Gli Habitator De L'ombre Eterne (Spirit)
L'orfeo: Act IV: Pietade, Oggi, E Amore (Chorus, Spirit 1, Orfeo, Spirit 3, Euridice, Spirit 4)
L'orfeo: Act IV: Ritornello â€¦ Qual Honor DI Te Fia Degno (Orfeo, First Spirit)
L'orfeo: Act IV: Ahi, Vista Troppo Dolce E Troppo Amara! (Euridice, Chorus Of Spirits)
L'orfeo: Act IV: Sinfonia A 7: E La Virtute Un Raggio (Chorus)
L'orfeo: Act V: Ritornello
L'orfeo: Track 15: Act V: Sinfonia: Perch'a Lo Sdegno E Al Dolor In Preda (Apollo, Orfeo)
L'orfeo: Act V: Ritornello (Chorus)
L'orfeo: Act V: Moresca

UPC: 017685123726
Label: Music & Arts Program
Release Date: 6.8.10
Format: CD

Paul Hindemith - Monteverdis Orfeo (2 CD)