JOHANN ADOLF HASSE (1699-1783): Artaserse (1730 Venice version).

Description: Hasse kept revising this opera until 1762, his style evolving each time, but this original version is notable for its lead characters’ singers: Farinelli and Cuzzoni. Each has five arias and Farinelli’s are fodder for countertenor portrait CDs nowadays although this 2012 live performance is the first since the 19th century of any version of the opera. 3 CDs. Libretto and translation available online. Franco Fagioli (countertenor), Maria Grazia Schiavo (soprano), Anicio Zorzi Giustiniani (tenor), Sonia Prina (contralto), Orchestra Internazionale d’Italia; Corrado Rovaris.