Handel: Faramondo

Handel: Faramondo / Diego Fasolis, Cencic, Jaroussky, Sabata, Wey, Et Al. Composer: George Frideric Handel, Performer: Terry Wey, In-Sung Sin, Marina de Liso, Sophie Karth¤user, Conductor: Diego Fasolis, Orchestra/Ensemble: Swiss Radio Chorus, I Barocchisti. Max Emanuel Cencic (Faramondo); Philippe Jaroussky (Adolfo); Sophie Karth¤user (Clotilde); Marina de Liso (Rosimonda); In-Sung Kim (Gustavo); Xavier Sabata (Gernando); Fulvio Bettini (Teobaldo); Lugano Swiss R Ch; I Barocchisti (period instruments) Handel's opera Faramondo (Pharamond), still rarely performed, is set in 5th century France. The title role, a mythical king, is taken by Zagreb-born countertenor Max Emanuel Cencic, an alumnus of the Vienna Boys' Choir, who took a starring role in Virgin Classics' recent DVD of Landi's Sant'Alessio and in September 2007 released a thrilling recital of virtuoso Rossini arias. On stage he has performed a number of Handel operas: Giulio Cesare, Tamerlano, Fernando and Serse (written shortly after Faramondo). The other star countertenor on this recording is Philippe Jaroussky, whose Virgin Classics album Carestini - The Story of a Castrato included arias by Handel and who was recently named Singer of the Year in Germany's Echo Klassik awards.