Ann Hallenberg, Ditte Andersen - Mia vita mio bene (2006)

Danish soprano Ditte Andersen and Swedish mezzo-soprano Ann Hallenberg were heard to stunning effect in Spedidam's splendid 2006 recording of Gluck's Aristeo and Bauci e Filemone with the ensemble Les Talens Lyriques under Christophe Rousset. Here they tackle another obscure corner of the Baroque: cantatas and operatic arias discovered in the libraries of the palaces at Meinungen and Sonderhausen, many of which were previously unknown. The Italian composers represented include a few who are well known, but they are predominantly obscure -- Antonio Caldara, Giovanni Battista Bononcini, as well as his brother Antonio, Francesco Gasparini, Giovanni Battista Alveri, Giuseppe Maria Andrea di Orlandini, Attilio Ariosti, Giovanni Porta, and Tommaso Bernardo Gaffi. The music, most of which dates from the first half of the eighteenth century is characteristic of the floridly expressive late Baroque. Andersen and Hallenberg have the technique to handle its most outrageous demands -- dazzlingly precise and secure coloratura; creamy, full-bodied legato; remarkable breath control; and a beautiful sense of phrasing. There is not a weak moment on the disc, but Andersen is especially impressive in Gasparini's "Penso, ma mi confondo," as is Hallenberg in Orlandini's "Della face chè mi in fiamma," and in Antonio Bononcini's "O men cruda." The repertoire doesn't offer them many opportunities to sing together, but when they do, as in Caldara's "Non d'altro riposo nel sonno m'appago" and Giovanni Battista Bononcini's "Stretto in lacci ed in catene," they blend beautifully. Lautten Compagny Berlin, led by Wolfgang Katschner, offers colorful, idiomatic support. The sound is clean, present, and warm.