This fine collection makes a wonderful tribute to the art of Arleen Auger as well as a useful way to collect some first-rate rare Haydn. Indeed, were it not for Bernarda Fink’s marginally more dramatic account of the Scena di Berenice on Harmonia Mundi, these performances likely would have no peer. Auger really is perfect for this music, particularly the two big cantatas (Berenice and Arianna), both of which deal with the subject of abandonment and include moving arias in Haydn’s personal key of F-minor. Auger has the regal bearing necessary to bring dignity to the recitatives while projecting plenty of emotion through the lyrical outpourings of each aria. The arrangement for strings of Arianna a Naxos is not by Haydn, who intended to score the piece for full orchestra but never got around to it, but it is contemporary and very well-made. The three shorter pieces further belie the notion that Haydn was not an effective opera composer: they are marvellous and very beautiful, and Auger sings them about as well as they can be. Hogwood & Co. provide fine support, and the sonics are just about ideal. No texts, alas, but otherwise this is a terrific release.
