Ian Page, Classical Opera Company - Arne: Artaxerxes [2010]

'Artaxerxes is a rare beast, perhaps a unique one: an 'opera seria' composed to English words. Almost all of the numbers are solo arias; there are two duets, and an ensemble Finale newly composed by Duncan Druce to replace the missing ending. Arne owes much to Handel, but he tends to write more concisely. This studio recording is based on a staged production, and it shows in the natural way in which the characters interact. The recitatives—also new, composed by Ian Page—are delivered with conviction, flowing seamlessly into the arias. Christopher Ainslie as Artaxerxes woos with honeyed tone, while Caitlin Hulcup as his friend Arbaces impresses with her coloratura. 'The soldier, tir'd of war's alarms', recorded years ago by Joan Sutherland, goes to the excellent Elizabeth Watts as Arbaces' lover. There's much delectable writing for the woodwind and horns, all beautifully played. This lively account of a charming work will give much pleasure' (Classic FM)

Cast:
Artaxerxes - Christopher Ainslie
Mandane - Elizabeth Watts
Arbaces - Caitlin Hulcup
Artabanes - Andrew Starles
Semira - Rebecca Bottone
Rimenes - Daniel Norman
Classical Opera Company
Conductor - Ian Page

Track List:
CD1:
01. Act I. Overture (Poco più che andante – Larghetto – Gavotta)
02. Recitative: Still silence reigns around (Mandane/Arbaces)
03. No.1, Duettino: Fair Aurora, prithee stay (Mandane/Arbaces)
04. Recitative: Alas, thou know'st that for my love to thee (Arbaces/Mandane)
05. No.2, Air: Adieu, thou lovely youth (Mandane)
06. Recitative: O cruel parting! How can I survive? (Arbaces/Artabanes)
07. No.3, Air: Amid a thousand racking woes (Arbaces)
08. Recitative: Be firm, my heart (Artabanes/Artaxerxes)
09. No.4, Air: Behold, on Lethe's dismal strand (Artabanes)
10. Recitative: Stay, Artaxerxes, stay (Semira/Artaxerxes)
11. No.5, Air: Fair Semira, lovely maid (Artaxerxes)
12. Recitative: I fear some dread disaster… (Semira/Rimenes)
13. No.6, Air: When real joy we miss (Rimenes)
14. Recitative: Ye Gods, protectors of the Persian Empire (Semira)
15. No.7, Air: How hard is the fate (Semira)
16. Recitative: Whither do I fly? (Mandane/Artaxerxes/Artabanes/Semira/Rimenes/Arbaces)
17. No.8, Air: Thy father! Away, I renounce the soft claim (Artabanes)
18. Recitative: Ye cruel Gods, what crime have I committed? (Arbaces)
19. No.9, Air: Acquit thee of this foul offence (Semira)
20. Recitative: Appearance, I must own, is strong against me (Arbaces/Artaxerxes/Rimenes/Mandane)
21. No.10, Air: O too lovely, too unkind (Arbaces)
22. Accompanied recitative: Dear and beloved shade (Mandane)
23. No.11, Air: Fly, soft ideas, fly (Mandane)
24. Act II. Recitative: Guards, speed ye to the tower (Artaxerxes/Artabanes)
25. No.12, Air: In infancy, our hopes and fears (Artaxerxes)
26. Recitative: So far my great resolve succeeds (Artabanes/Arbaces)
27. No.13, Air: Disdainful you fly me (Arbaces)
28. Recitative: Why, my dear friend, so pensive, so inactive? (Rimenes/Artabanes/Semira)
29. No.14, Air: To sigh and complain (Rimenes)
30. Recitative: How many links to dire misfortune's chain (Semira/Mandane)
31. No.15, Air: If o'er the cruel tyrant love (Mandane)
CD2:
01. Recitative: Which fatal evil shall I first oppose? (Semira)
02. No.16, Air: If the river's swelling waves (Semira)
03. Recitative: Ye solid pillars of the Persian Empire (Artaxerxes/Mandane/Artabanes/Rimenes/Semira/Arbaces)
04. No.17, Air: By that belov'd embrace (Arbaces)
05. Recitative: Ah me, at poor Arbaces' parting (Mandane/Artabanes)
06. No.18, Air: Monster, away (Mandane)
07. Recitative: See, lov'd Semira (Artaxerxes/Semira)
08. Accompanied recitative: At last my soul has room (Artabanes)
09. No.19, Air: Thou, like the glorious sun (Artabanes)
10. Act III. No.20, Air: Why is death for ever late (Arbaces)
11. Recitative: Arbaces! Gracious Heav'n, what's this I see? (Artaxerxes/Arbaces)
12. No.21, Air: Water parted from the sea (Arbaces)
13. Recitative: That face, secure in conscious innocence (Artaxerxes)
14. No.22, Air: Though oft a cloud with envious shade (Artaxerxes)
15. Recitative: My son, Arbaces… where art thou retir'd? (Artabanes/Rimenes)
16. No.23, Air: O let the danger of a son (Rimenes)
17. Accompanied recitative: Ye adverse Gods! (Artabanes)
18. No.24, Air: O, much lov'd son, if death (Artabanes)
19. Recitative: Perhaps the King releas'd Arbaces (Mandane/Semira)
20. No.25, Air: Let not rage, thy bosom firing (Mandane)
21. Recitative: What have I done? Alas, I vainly thought (Semira)
22. No.26, Air: 'Tis not true that in our grief (Semira)
23. Recitative: Nor here my searching eyes can find Mandane (Arbaces/Mandane)
24. No.27, Duetto: For thee I live, my dearest (Arbaces/Mandane)
25. Recitative: To you, my people, much belov'd (Artaxerxes/Artabanes/Semira/Mandane)
26. No.28, Air: The soldier, tir'd of war's alarms (Mandane)
27. Recitative: Behold, my King, Arbaces at thy feet (Arbaces/Artaxerxes/Mandane/Artabanes)
28. No.29, Finale: Live to us, to Empire live