Landi: Il Sant'alessio

Philippe Jaroussky, Max Emanuel Cencic, Alain Buet, Xavier Sabata, Damien Guillon, Pascal Bertin, José Lemos & Luigi de Donato Orchestra and Chorus of Les Arts Florissants, William Christie (conductor, harpsichord and organ)

The libretto, written by Cardinal Giulio Rospigliosi (the future Pope Clement IX), tells the story of saintly sacrifice: on his wedding night Alessio departs alone for the Holy Land in search of sanctity. Years later he returns unrecognised as a beggar to his family home, where his father, mother and wife still mourn him. A demon tempts Alessio to reveal his true identity and so end his family’s grief, but an angel keeps him on the sacred path. The dying Alessio leaves a letter explaining the truth and an angelic chorus bids his family to rejoice rather than mourn, since he has been received into heaven. This strange, solemn and elevated story is leavened with comic scenes in the commedia dell’arte vein, adding to the rich musico-dramatic variety of the entire opera.
“Stefano Landi’s stately “musical drama” from 1632 appeared semi-staged in London last year. This DVD tells us what we missed: gorgeously coloured costumes, a painterly set, counter-tenors emoting in drag without any hint of the camp. Marvellous music from Philippe Jaroussky, Max Emanuel Cencic and Christie’s Les Arts Florissants.” - The Times, May 2008