Bach JC - Endimione - Weil, Cappella Coloniensis

 

Release Date: November 8, 1999 Label: Harmonia Mundi Number of discs: 2 Composer: Johann Christian Bach Performer: Cappella Coloniensis cd info/ buy

Review:

Mozart is often praised for various characteristics in his music, but many of them are not as original for their time as many would like to think. Johann Christian Bach, the youngest son of Johann Sebastian, wrote a number of operas, many of which could be mistaken for Mozart. While sounding more like Mozart's earlier works, there could be a connection to later ones as well. And perhaps Bach was a better composer than his younger contemporary. L'Endimione, first performed in 1772, is yet another setting of a Metastasian libretto, and was perhaps used  as a comment on the affairs of the royal family, something not new to opera. While it did not merit the controversy of 'Isis' by Lully, it is a work well worth listening to. Especially notable is sopranist Jörg Waschinski in the role of Cupid. This recording won the Echo Klassik Award 2000 – Best opera recording 17th/18th century.

 

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