ANTONIO VIVALDI (1678-1741): Il Teuzzone.

Description: Originally released by Tactus, just before we took over RI, this was probably part of their old, box-set-handsomely-packaged full-price days, before the label went mid-price. The opera itself is literally exceptional: it's set in China and is full of references which would have been truly exotic to audiences of 1719 when Europe was reawakening to the lures of art, spices, fine goods and philosophy of the "Orient". Unusually rich orchestration with such special effects as timpani scordati, although by no means full of the fake Chinoiserie which would follow in the 19th century. 3 CDs. Italian libretto. Maurizia Barazzoni (soprano), Fernanda Piccini (contralto), Mauro Pagano (tenor), Marcello Lippi (bass), Orchestra dell'Opera Barocca del Teatro di Guastalla; Sandro Volta. Original 1997 Tactus release.