Music: Classical: Opera

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Afternoon Concert

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Afternoon on 3: Looking East

Afternoon Concert: Looking East: Episode 4: Handel: Alessandro - Acts 1 and 2

Episode 4

Episode 4: Handel: Alessandro - Acts 1 and 2

Looking East

Handel: Alessandro - Acts 1 and 2

BBC Radio 3 - Afternoon Concert, Looking East, Handel: Alessandro - Acts 1 and 2

Acts 1 and 2 of Handel's opera Alessandro. Plus Liszt: Petrarch Sonnet No 123.

Handel's story of the love triangle between Alexander the Great and two captive princesses in India. Plus Liszt: Petrarch Sonnet No 123 (Annees de pelerinage).

Handel Operas 2009

Radio 3's complete cycle of Handel's operas continues with Acts 1 and 2 of his tale of Alexander the Great's advance into India. After he capture one of its cities, the Macedonian king  becomes embroiled in a complicated love triangle with two captive princesses. The composer used the rivalry between his original leading women - sopranos Faustina Bordoni and Francesca Cuzzoni - in his adaptation of the original material for the opera, giving them equal billing.

Handel expert Suzana Ograjensek - herself a soprano specialising in the Baroque repertory - explains the genesis of this work.

Handel: Alessandro (Acts 1 and 2)

Alessandro (the Great) ...... Rene Jacobs (countertenor)
Rossane, captive princess ...... Sophie Boulin (soprano)
Lisaura, captive princess ...... Isabelle Poulenard (soprano)
Tassile, Indian King ...... Jean Nirouet (countertenor)
Clito, Alexander's sidekick ...... Stephen Varcoe (baritone)
Leonato, Alexander's sidekick...... Guy de Mey (tenor)
Cleone, Alexander's sidekick ...... Ria Bollen (mezzo-soprano)
La Petite Bande
Sigiswald Kuijken (conductor)

4.45pm
Liszt: Petrarch Sonnet No 123 (Annees de Pelerinage - Deuxieme annee: Italie)
Nikolai Lugansky (piano).

Afternoon Concert: Looking East

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Episode 4: Handel: Alessandro - Acts 1 and 2

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