A celebration to mark the end of our 2024-25 Season.
2-for-1 now available on Eventbrite Nave Tickets. Click on the button below to claim your discount!
A captivating evening of Baroque song and instrumental colour. Soprano Jane Burnell returns with a selection of dazzling arias, joined by Manchester Baroque’s Fellowship players and ensemble regulars.
Performers:
Manchester Baroque - performing on period instruments
Jane Burnell – Soprano
Pauline Nobes and Andrew Taheny - Violin
James Heathcote – Cello
David Francis - Harpsichord
Programme:
‘Ye gentle spirits of the air’ from the Fairy Queen - Henry Purcell (1659–1695)
‘The Grand Chaconne’ from 10 Sonatas in 4 parts - Henry Purcell
Plaint from the Fairy Queen - Henry Purcell
Ricercare No.5 - Domenico Gabrielli (1651-1690)
‘Battaglia de Barbaso yerno de Satanas’ from Il Primo Libro di Canzone, Brandi - Andrea Falconiero (1585–1656)
Interval
Le Parnassus ou L’Apothéose de Corelli - François Couperin (1668–1733)
Armida Abbandonata (HWV 105) - George Frideric Handel (1685–1759)
Translation of Handel’s Armida Abbandonata (Armida Abandoned)
Recitative
In pursuit of the fleeing warrior with whom she had long dallied lustfully in secret,
abandoned Armida
set forth;
and when she finally saw
that her golden hair,
her charms, glances, her prayers had no power to bind
her fugitive lover,
she rested her weary limbs,
and, motionless on a rocky cliff, with the calm of bitter grief, gazed at that light craft
which was taking Rinaldo away from her
and weeping and sighing
said:
Aria
Ah, cruel one, so you go away
and leave me grief-stricken, and yet you know that you alone are the delight of my heart.
How, ungrateful man, how can you steal from my heart the calm peace of your eyes, if all my love is for you?
Recitative
For you I pine away, faithless one, for you I languish, you ingrate; ah, yet you know
that only by your lovely eyes because of you my heart
is broken,
and yet you desert me, faithless lover
Accompanied Recitative
O you, horrible monsters
of the restless, stormy sea, come forth
from the most hidden depths to avenge me,
and against that cruel man grow crueller, yes, yes, yes, let it be your boast
to tear to pieces
a monster capable
of greater harshness than yours. Waves, winds, what are you doing that you do not engulf him?
Ah no, stay!
Aria
Winds, cease, yes,
do not engulf him;
it is true that he betrayed me,
but still, I adore him.
So that, cruel ones, no,
do not slay him,
it is true that he scorned me, but he is my treasured darling.
Recitative
But what am I saying?
Ah, I am raving;
and how could I love a traitor,
my unhappy heart?
Reply, oh God, reply.
Ah, you are confused,
doubtful and trembling
you would like not to love, yet you love. Break that shameful bond
which still captures your affections. What are you doing, wretched heart? Ah, you cannot break loose.
Aria
In my grievous distress you at least help me,
God of love!
And if you have any pity for me, see that I no longer love
that traitor.