Composer of the Week - Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) - Episode 5

Donald Macleod looks at the final chapter of Haydn's operatic career, with excerpts from Armida, a tale of love and sorcery set in the Middle Ages, and Orfeo ed Euridice, a version of the Orpheus myth commissioned for the King's Theatre, Haymarket, at the start of Haydn's first English adventure. Armida (Act 3, Sc 1) Christoph Pregardien (tenor) Patricia Petibon (soprano) Cecilia Bartoli (mezzo-soprano) Concentus Musicus Wien Nikolaus Harnoncourt (conductor) Teldec 8573-81108-2, CD 2, Trs 16-22 Orfeo ed Euridice (Act 2, Sc 1 - conclusion) Jose Fardilha (tenor) Cecilia Bartoli (mezzo-soprano) Uwe Heilmann, James Oxley (tenor) Ildebrando d'Arcangelo (bass) Academy of Ancient Music Christopher Hogwood (conductor) L'oiseau-Lyre 452 668-2, CD 1, Trs 20-24 Al tuo seno fortunato (Orfeo ed Euridice, Act 3) Cecilia Bartoli (mezzo-soprano) Academy of Ancient Music Christopher Hogwood (conductor) L'oiseau-Lyre 452 668-2, CD 2, Tr 7 Urli orrendi, disperati (Orfeo ed Euridice, Act 4) Academy of Ancient Music Orchestra and Chorus Christopher Hogwood (conductor) L'oiseau-Lyre 452 668-2, CD 2, Trs 12.