Peter Whelan, Tara Erraught and Irish Baroque Orchestra - The Trials of Tenducci: A Castrato in Ireland (2021)

Peter Whelan and the Irish Baroque Orchestra introduce us to superstar castrato Giusto Tenducci on their new recording, described as "a modern treat dressed in a baroque 'n' roll scandal".

Following a live performance, The Irish Times wrote that ‘Whelan and the IBO are lively guides to this repertoire’ which explores the music in Ireland from the 1750s to 1770s and marks a revolutionary moment where the structures of Baroque music break down and we see the emergence of the Classical style. Many trailblazing early classical composers visited Ireland during this time including van Maldere, Pasquali and Giordani (some even incorporate Irish traditional melodies into their symphonies).

Perhaps the most famous visitor to Ireland at this time was the superstar castrato, Giusto Tenducci, who had works especially written for him by Mozart, Haydn and J. C. Bach. To tell his swashbuckling tale, IBO is joined by present-day superstar Irish mezzo-soprano Tara Erraught, performing works which would have been sung by Tenducci in Ireland.

This programme also includes modern-day premieres from the collection at the National Library of Ireland including van Maldere’s Sinfonia in G, known as the ‘Dublin’ Sinfonia, Giordani’s much-admired Overture and Irish Medley to the entertainment of The Isle of Saints and The Braes of Ballenden by J. C. Bach.

Tracklist
01. Symphony in G Major, VR 28: I. Allegro assai
02. Symphony in G Major, VR 28: II. Andantino
03. Symphony in G Major, VR 28: III. Presto
04. Artaxerxes, Act I Scene 2: Amid a Thousand Racking Woes
05. Artaxerxes, Act III Scene 1: Water Parted From the Sea
06. The Celebrated Overture and Irish Medley to the Island of Saints: I. Allegro spiritoso
07. The Celebrated Overture and Irish Medley to the Island of Saints: II. Shepherds I Have Lost My Love
08. The Celebrated Overture and Irish Medley to the Island of Saints: III. The Irish Medley
09. Caro mio ben
10. Queen Mary’s Lamentation
11. Oboe Concerto No. 7 in F Major: III. Andante: Gramachree Molly with Variations
12. Ebben si vada – Io ti lascio
13. The Braes of Ballenden
14. Exsultate, jubilate, K. 165: I. Exsultate, jubilate
15. Exsultate, jubilate, K. 165: II. Fulget amica dies
16. Exsultate, jubilate, K. 165: III. Tu virginum corona
17. Exsultate, jubilate, K. 165: IV. Alleluia