The stunning duet which ends the first act of Porpora’s Componimento drammatico to a libretto by Metastasio. Commencing with an involved secco recit and followed by da capo form duet with a middle section in a different meter and mood, it involves Venus and Adonis (La Romanina and Farinelli) singing of their love for each other.

Editor: James Sanderson

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The four arias written for Farinelli in one of his first appearances. Here he sings the rôle of Adone. See the individual arias for preview – buy all four and save £££!

Includes: Se il morir, fosse mia pena
Sarebbe nell’amar soave il sospirar
Giusto Amor
Se son lontano dal mio diletto

Editor: James Sanderson

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Five of the amazing arias written for Farinelli in Porpora’s ‘Polifemo‘

See the individual arias for previews:

Oh’ volesser gli Dei/Dolci fresche aurette
Lontan dal solo e caro/Lusingato dalla speme agitato
Nell’ attendere il mio bene
Alto Giove
Che dici or tu ch’ai poter che Giove?/Senti il fato

All in orchestral score with full parts

Editor: James Sanderson

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Source: Polifemo Act III, scene v

Acis’ (Farinelli’s) last aria. In the true bravura style which made both singer and composer famous this aria is extraordinary! Everything from fiendish coloratura to leaps of a 10th, 11th and 12th. Masterful writing. The aria is preceded by a secco recitative and has a slower, though even more virtuosic, middle section.

Editor: James Sanderson

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Venere’s aria from the end of act I uses all the illusions of the crashing waves upon the shore, convincing her lover, Adone, to remain with her. Written for the great Marianna Bulgarelli (La Romanina: 1684 – 1734) it is a wonderfully ‘splashy’ coloratura aria.

Editor: James Sanderson

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Imeneo’s opening aria from ‘La Festa d’Imeneo’ Written for Farinelli in 1736 as part of a Serenata composed for the wedding of the Prince of Wales, this is a virtuosic piece with a great deal of room for embellishment.

Editor: James Sanderson

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Adone (Farinelli)’s second aria from Act II of Porpora’s Gli orti Esperidi. A charming allegro with a ‘pathetic’ twist, once again principally accompanied by the upper strings – perhaps a gesture to the young Farinelli’s age (16 at the time). Adone sings of the fear which enters his heart in the absence of his beloved.

Editor: James Sanderson

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Farinelli’s second aria from one of his first appearances (Rome 1721) in Gli Orti Esperidi. In the rôle of Adonis, Farinelli sings of the power of love to hold him to his beloved despite the horrors of Tartarus.

Editor: James Sanderson

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The first aria from one of Farinelli’s forst appearances (Rome 1721). In the rôle of Adonis, Farinelli sings of his willingness to give up his life for love of Venus.

A beautiful aria with primarily violin bass rather than continuo.

Editor: James Sanderson

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Source: BL Add MS 31593 ff 30r – 33v

A deceptively virtuosic aria with exciting rhythmic and melodic interest and occasionally bizarre harmonies. If your lips would have pity upon me… From Ezio (1728).

Editor: James Sanderson

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