FRANCESCO CAVALLI (1602-1676): L’Egisto.

Description: L’Egisto takes its name from the piece’s main character, an Arcadian shepherd who is misled by an ambiguous inscription into believing his love is lost. A succession of misunderstandings ensues, along with spectacular pieces of music, a scene of madness and a descent into the Underworld for this would-be Orpheus searching for his Eurydice. The sumptuousness of the music, which masterfully illustrates the emotions involved in a love quadrangle, offers Vincent Dumestre and his cast the opportunity to paint with dazzling colours and virtuoso strokes for this first great labyrinth of Baroque sentiment. 2 CDs. Italian-English libretto. Marc Mauillon (baritone), Ambroisine Bré (mezzo), Sophie Junker (soprano), Le Poème Harmonique; Vincent Dumestre.