"Sospiri" is a captivating collection of arias and sacred pieces, showcasing the extraordinary vocal prowess of Cecilia Bartoli. Released on January 1, 2010, under the Decca Music Group Ltd. label, this album spans a variety of genres within the classical and opera realms, offering a rich and diverse listening experience. With a duration of 1 hour and 48 minutes, "Sospiri" is a testament to Bartoli's versatility and artistry, featuring works from renowned composers such as Handel, Mozart, and Bach.
The album opens with the delicate and ethereal "Ombra mai fu" from Handel's "Serse," setting the tone for a journey through some of the most beloved and emotionally resonant pieces in the classical canon. Bartoli's voice shines in arias like "Casta Diva" from Bellini's "Norma" and "Una voce poco fa" from Rossini's "Il barbiere di Siviglia," demonstrating her ability to convey both power and tenderness. The inclusion of sacred works, such as the "Gloria" from Bach's "Mass in B minor" and the "Pie Jesu" from Fauré's "Requiem," adds a spiritual dimension to the collection.
Throughout "Sospiri," Cecilia Bartoli's mastery of technique and expressive depth is evident, making this album a standout in her illustrious career. Whether you're a longtime fan of classical music or a newcomer looking to explore the genre, this album offers a compelling introduction to the timeless beauty of opera and sacred choral works.
Serse, HWV 40 / Act 1: "Ombra mai fu"George Frideric Handel, Cecilia Bartoli, Il Giardino Armonico, Giovanni Antonini
Merope: Sposa, non mi conosciGeminiano Giacomelli, Cecilia Bartoli, Il Giardino Armonico, Giovanni Antonini
Il trionfo del tempo e del disinganno, HWV 46a: "Lascia la spina cogli la rosa"George Frideric Handel, Cecilia Bartoli, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Marc Minkowski
Il Farnace / Act 2 Scene 5: Gelido in ogni venaAntonio Vivaldi, Cecilia Bartoli, Il Giardino Armonico, Giovanni Antonini
La Morte d'Abel: Quel buon pastor son ioAntonio Caldara, Cecilia Bartoli, Il Giardino Armonico, Giovanni Antonini
Il Medo / Act 1: Cervo in boscoLeonardo Vinci, Cecilia Bartoli, Il Giardino Armonico, Giovanni Antonini
Le nozze di Figaro, K. 492, Act II: No. 12, Voi che sapeteWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Cecilia Bartoli, Wiener Philharmoniker, Claudio Abbado
Don Giovanni, K.527 / Act 1: "Là ci darem la mano"Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Cecilia Bartoli, Bryn Terfel, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Myung-Whun Chung
La Sonnambula / Act 2: Ah! non credea mirarti si presto estinto, o fioreVincenzo Bellini, Cecilia Bartoli, Juan Diego Flórez, Orchestra La Scintilla, Alessandro De Marchi
Ah, ritornaFelix Mendelssohn, Cecilia Bartoli, Orchestra La Scintilla, Ádám Fischer
Ines di Castro: "Cari giorni" (Romanza der Ines)Giuseppe Persiani, Cecilia Bartoli, Orchestra La Scintilla, Ádám Fischer
Il barbiere di Siviglia / Act 1: "Una voce poco fa"Gioachino Rossini, Cecilia Bartoli, Orchestra La Scintilla, Ádám Fischer
Norma / Act 1: "Casta Diva"Vincenzo Bellini, Cecilia Bartoli, International Chamber Soloists, Orchestra La Scintilla, Ádám Fischer
L'amico Fritz / Act 2: Tutto tacePietro Mascagni, Cecilia Bartoli, Luciano Pavarotti, London Voices, Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi, Riccardo Chailly
Mass in B minor, BWV 232 / Gloria: Qui sedes ad dexteram PatrisJohann Sebastian Bach, Cecilia Bartoli, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Myung-Whun Chung, Mary Cotton Savini
Vesperae solennes de confessore in C, K.339: Laudate Dominum omnes gentesWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Cecilia Bartoli, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Myung-Whun Chung, Coro dell'Accademia Nazionale Di Santa Cecilia, Roberto Gabbiani
Fac ut portem Christi mortemGioachino Rossini, Cecilia Bartoli, Wiener Philharmoniker, Myung-Whun Chung
Ave Maria: arr. from Bach's Prelude No.1 BWV 846: Ave MariaCharles Gounod, Cecilia Bartoli, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Myung-Whun Chung, Cinzia Maurizio
Requiem: Pie JesuMaurice Duruflé, Cecilia Bartoli, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Myung-Whun Chung, Daniele Rossi, Luigi Piovano
Requiem, Op. 48: Pie JesuGabriel Fauré, Cecilia Bartoli, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Myung-Whun Chung, Coro dell'Accademia Nazionale Di Santa Cecilia, Roberto Gabbiani, Daniele Rossi