Countertenor Randall Scotting - album "Divine Impresario. Nicolini On Stage" - Opera, a world, May 3^rd, 2026

Arias and duets by Handel, Porpora, Gasparini, Mancini, Giay, Broschi and Ariosti for Nicolò Grimaldi ("Nicolini"). Featuring soprano Mary Bevan ("Academy of Ancient Music" Ensemble, conductor and harpsichordist Laurence Cummings).

Premiere album released on March 13^th, 2026

We are now listening to the latest album by countertenor Randall Scotting, magnificent music, wonderfully performed. We have already become accustomed to the Baroque repertoire being tackled through the prism of intelligently chosen themes, also revealing the musicological pursuit of the performers. The American artist also holds a PhD on the subject of Baroque opera, so it is no wonder that he conducted meticulous research for the album programme entitled "Divine Impresario. Nicolini On Stage", analyzing manuscripts kept in archives in England, Belgium, Austria, Germany and Sweden. He chose a series of arias composed in the early 18^th century for Nicolò Grimaldi (known as Nicolini), the first star of castrati singers in London, his name being associated with Handel's, giving life for the first time to the title role in the opera Rinaldo. But it wasn't just Handel who wrote for Nicolini, but also Porpora, Gasparini, Mancini, Giay, Broschi or Ariosti. These are the composers who can be found on this album, 9 of the arias performed (there are 15 works in total) being recorded for the first time, some not having been sung since Nicolini's time… 3 centuries ago."Divine Impresario. Nicolini On Stage" - album released by the British record label Signum on March 13^th and included in the Discs of the Year 2026 project. The recordings were made in the studio, in November 2024. Randall Scotting also explains the reason why he used the word "impresario" - he didn't refer to the meaning of agent, but to the notion of art promoter, with a direct and personal contribution, as Nicolini had, an artist who adjusted librettos and directed shows, giving mobility to the singer who became a true actor. Randall Scotting's international career took off in 2019, when he saved a Covent Garden performance -Death in Venice by Britten, and shortly after becoming a soloist at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. His voice falls into the mezzo-soprano range, being homogeneous from the somber low-pitch sound to the bright high-pitch sound; a very interesting timbre, a voice that has consistency. Randall Scotting is particularly expressive in his interpretation, with an elegant and delicate singing, seemingly without any effort. There are pages of virtuosity, such as in the famous aria Venti turbini from Rinaldo in which we also find long-breathing phrases. The aria Cara sposa (also from Rinaldo) is sung with a sweet tenderness - the long, warm notes, neither "white" nor vibrated. The È vano ogni pensiero from Idaspe fedele is also sung with sweetness in voice and fluidity. Here are just a few highlights from the entire programme that we will listen to soon. There are also 3 duets for which he was joined by British soprano Mary Bevan; their voices harmonize very beautifully, a graceful interpretation being the duet Spiegami il tuo desio from Siface.

An album recorded alongside a prestigious ensemble specialized in Baroque music - the Academy of Ancient Music Ensemble. At the rostrum, but also on harpsichord for the recitatives - conductor Laurence Cummings, musical director of the ensemble, one of the musicians appreciated for his interpretation informed by historical perspective.