Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber: Arminio – GPO Digital Recording (3 Compact Digital Audio Discs)

Product Details

UPC: 761203925827
Catalog Number: LC 8492
Product Type: 3 Compact Digital Audio Discs (Live Recording)
Label: cpo
Recording Date & Venue: Live recordings, April 9–12, 1994 at the Aula Accademica of the University of Salzburg
Conductor & Ensemble:

• Conductor: Wolfgang Brunner
• Ensemble: Salzburger Hofmusik
  Composer: Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber (1644–1704)
  Work: Arminio – Chi la dura la vince
   • A "Dramma musicale" in three acts with a libretto attributed to Francesco Maria Raffaelini (?)

Principal Cast (Extracted from the Recording Credits):

• Giulia
• Barbara Schlick
• Arminio (role portrayed by one of the cast)
• Gotthold Schwarz (Nerone)
• Gerd Türk (Segesta)
• Xenia Meijer (Tiberio)
• Gerd Kenda (Culligola)
• Benhard Landauer (Vitellio)
• [Additional roles:] Germanico, Erchino, Claudia, Climmia, Seiano, with contributions by Markus Forster, Hermann Oswald, Otto Rastbichler, Irena Troupova, Regina Schwarzer, and Florian Mehltretter

Overview

English:
Delve into the dramatic and richly expressive world of Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber with Arminio – Chi la dura la vince. This live recording, captured over four days in April 1994 at the Aula Accademica of the University of Salzburg, presents Biber’s only surviving opera in a vibrant and authentic performance. Under the masterful guidance of conductor Wolfgang Brunner, and performed by the distinguished Salzburger Hofmusik on period instruments, the work unfolds in three acts. Featuring a compelling libretto—likely conceived by Francesco Maria Raffaelini—and an exceptional cast led by artists such as Barbara Schlick, Gotthold Schwarz, and Gerd Türk, this recording is an indispensable addition to the library of any collector or lover of early music.

Français (Présentation) :
Plongez dans l’univers dramatique et expressif de Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber grâce à Arminio – Chi la dura la vince. Cet enregistrement live, capturé sur quatre jours en avril 1994 à l'Aula Accademica de l'Université de Salzbourg, présente le seul opéra survivant de Biber dans une interprétation vibrante et authentique. Sous la direction experte de Wolfgang Brunner et interprété par le renommé Salzburger Hofmusik sur des instruments d'époque, l’œuvre se déploie en trois actes. Doté d’un livret saisissant – vraisemblablement établi par Francesco Maria Raffaelini – et d’un casting exceptionnel incluant des artistes tels que Barbara Schlick, Gotthold Schwarz et Gerd Türk, cet enregistrement est un incontournable pour tout collectionneur ou amateur de musique ancienne.

Product Features

Format & Production

• Media: Live performance set on 3 CDs, digitally mastered to capture the acoustics of the historic venue
• Recording Quality: Live recording from the Aula Accademica, University of Salzburg, ensuring an intimate and acoustically rich presentation

Performance & Interpretation

• Period Interpretation: Performed on period instruments by the Salzburger Hofmusik, reflecting historically informed practices
• Drammatic Structure: The work is structured as a three-act "Dramma musicale" that recounts the legendary Germanic hero Arminius’s exploits under the motto "Chi la dura la vince" ("He who perseveres wins")
• Cast Excellence:
  • Renowned vocal soloists like Barbara Schlick and Gotthold Schwarz deliver powerful portrayals of their respective roles
  • The ensemble cast, including contributions by Gerd Türk, Xenia Meijer, and others, enriches the dramatic narrative with diverse vocal colors

Additional Production Credits

• Recording Supervisor: Jiri Pospichal
• Recording Engineer: Gustav Soral
• Executive Producer: Burkhard Schmilgun
• Cover Art: Features a colorized image of Friedrich Gunkel’s 1862–1864 painting "Die Hermannsschlacht" (Hermann’s Battle), with design by Carrée 53/GDS

Interesting Facts

English:

• A Rare Gem: Arminio – Chi la dura la vince is Biber’s only surviving opera, marking an essential milestone in the early Baroque operatic repertoire.
• Live Energy: Recorded live in 1994, the performance captures the spontaneity and expressive nuances of Baroque drama in an acoustically historic setting.
• Period Authenticity: The use of period instruments and historically informed performance techniques by the Salzburger Hofmusik lends a unique authenticity and vibrant sound to this rare work.

Français (Faits Intéressants) :

• Un Trésor Rare : Arminio – Chi la dura la vince est le seul opéra survivant de Biber, constituant une étape essentielle du répertoire lyrique baroque.
• Énergie Scénique Live : Enregistrée en direct en 1994, la performance capte la spontanéité et les nuances expressives d’un drame baroque dans un cadre acoustique historique.
• Authenticité d’Époque : L’utilisation d’instruments d’époque et de techniques de performance historiquement informées par le Salzburger Hofmusik confère à cette œuvre rare une authenticité et une sonorité vibrante uniques.

Track Listing

For exact track timings and detailed act breakdowns, please refer to the included CD booklet.

• Disc 1:
  • Act I highlights – Introduction of characters including Arminio and key dramatic motifs
• Disc 2:
  • Act II – Development of the dramatic narrative, featuring arias and ensemble pieces by roles such as Nerone and Segesta
• Disc 3:
  • Act III – Concluding sections and final choruses that resolve the dramatic tension, with standout performances by Tiberio, Culligola, and others

Publishers

This live recording is released by cpo, a label committed to high-quality presentations of early and Baroque music. Manufactured in Germany, the CD set embodies both rigorous historical research and modern production excellence.

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Hashtags

English:

#BiberArminio #HeinrichBiber #BaroqueOpera #LiveRecording #SalzburgerHofmusik #WolfgangBrunner #EarlyMusic #cpoRecords #DrammaMusicale #HistoricalPerformance

Français:

#BiberArminio #HeinrichBiber #OpéraBaroque #EnregistrementLive #SalzburgerHofmusik #WolfgangBrunner #MusiqueAncienne #cpoRecords #DrammaMusicale #PerformanceHistorique