Philippe Jaroussky Steffani: Niobe, Regina di Tebe, 3CD

This is the world premiere studio recording of Agostino Steffani’s sumptuous 1688 opera Niobe, Regina di Tebe, which has proved a revelation to audiences since its first modern production in 2008. The spellbinding French countertenor Philippe Jaroussky, who appeared in its US premiere at the Boston Early Music Festival in 2011, stars in this new recording, with Canadian soprano Karina Gauvin in the title role of the proud, but tragic Theban queen. Jaroussky describes the work as “a beautiful bridge between Monteverdi and Handel”.Gramophone Recording of the Month: 'Boston Early Music Festival's masterful interpretation of Niobe, Regina di Tebe is a vital breath of fresh air...An exemplary testament of superb musicianship from all participants (orchestral and vocal) and evidence of the artistic good that can come from a healthy scholarly curiosity, this is a landmark event in Steffani's much-deserved rehabilitation.' (David Vickers)