Le Concert de l’Hostel Dieu, the Lyon-based baroque orchestra lead by Franck-Emmanuel Comte (who has lead Arion twice in recent seasons) presents an original program based on the legend of Prince Hamlet. The tale was originally told in the Gesta Danorum of Saxo Grammaticus, which served as the basis for Shakespeare's tragedy, but it also inspired a number of Italian operas of the 18ᵉ century. One thing these operas have in common: they are all lost! These previously unpublished works by Scarlatti, Gasparini, Carcani and Vignati are mainly inspired by two female characters revolving around Hamlet: the romantic Veremonda (whom Shakespeare calls Ophelia) and Hamlet's mother Gerilda (Gertrude), torn between love for her son and passion for her cold, unfaithful husband. Roberta Mameli, a charismatic and passionate soprano, interprets these different figures who inspired Scarlatti and his contemporaries to write expressive, brilliant and charming arias. As well as the pleasure of discovering these completely new musical gems, this project will transport you into the exciting, ambiguous and fascinating world of Hamlet, whose ghosts will enliven this lovely stroll through a rediscovered baroque Italy.
George Frideric Handel
“Tu indegno sei dell’allor” (Ambleto)
Giuseppe Carcani
Excerpts from Ambleto
Francesco Gasparini
Excerpts from Ambleto
Johann Adolf Hasse
Sinfonia in G minor
Carlo Francesco Pollarolo
“D’ire armato il braccio forte” (Ambleto)
Domenico Scarlatti
Sinfonia in D minor
“Nella mia sfortunata prigionia” (Ambleto)
