Haydn: Italian Arias
Thomas Quasthoff, Freiburger Barockorchester
Deutsche Grammophon, $16.99
Who knew? "Papa" Haydn, aside from being the inventor of the symphony and string quartet, perfecter of the classical style, creator of "The Creation," etc., also was a darn good opera composer. He was impresario as well as composer for the Esterhazy opera house from 1775 to 1790, and during that time he wrote seven operas, in addition to others before and after. Haydn also touched up operas by Salieri, Bianchi and others. Quasthoff and the Frieburger orchestra present a fascinating range of work, from buffa tunes such as "Mi dica il mio signore" that come straight from the world of "Don Giovanni" to a touching duet, with soprano Genia Kuhmeier, from "Il Mondo della Luna" (The World on the Moon).
Quasthoff, the German baritone who earlier this year was heard in Haydn's "Creation" in London, has the warm, rich tone and geniality of expression to make all these roles come alive on disk; if only we could see some of them on stage.
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