Keiser: Croesus

Keiser is one of the most astonishing early German composers to have been brought to light in recent years. The composer of a good sixty operas, all of them for the Hamburg Opera, during his lifetime he was regarded as 'the greatest and most authentic musical genius ever to be born in Germany', and, indeed, 'le premier homme du Monde'! If credence is to be lent to the enormous success of its first performance (1710) and its revival in 1730 (the version recorded here), this music is a veritable treasure-trove: whether it be in the writing of the arias and duos, the innovative orchestral coloration, the skilfull adaptation of an old Venetian opera to suit the tastes of Hamburg audiences, Keiser proves himself a truly great master. This recording follows the unforgettable performances at the Berlin Staatsoper under René Jacobs. 'A superb production' (Le Monde de la Musique). 'One could not dream of better conditions for the bringing to light of this extraordinary opera'(Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung).