For those who share with Igor Stravinsky the opinion that Vivaldi wrote the same concerto 500 times, have you considered checking out his operas? Here’s a live performance of “Orlando Furioso,” complete with “upstanding” harpsichord-playing by its conductor.
A good time, with plenty of eye candy, but when it comes to English subtitles, you’re on your own.
I suppose you could always just crack open your Ariosto. Seriously, I’m sure you can find a libretto, or at the very least a synopsis online. If you’re a fan of Baroque opera, you probably know the story anyway. It’s been set by everyone, though Handel’s version is probably the most famous.
This strikes me as a decent intro:
Music for all seasons by the composer of “The Four Seasons.” Buon compleanno, Antonio Vivaldi!
PHOTO: Kindly do not touch the hippogriff!
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