Contro Gli Accademici Agostino

Agostino Steffani (1654-1728) was the most important composer ever to be appointed by the Duchy of Hannover. At the end of the 17th century this noble family embarked on a cultural offensive with the objective of having Duke Ernst August become a prince elector. To this end, the Welph dynasty obtained the services of Steffani, a master choice in itself as his works are still performed to this day in the majestic gardens of Princess Caroline of Monaco and her husband, the current Ernst August of Hannover.

Lajos Rovatkay, einer der frühesten praktischen Propagatoren der Musik Agostino Steffanis – zumindest auf dem Kontinent – war Gründer (1981) und Leiter des Barockorchesters „Capella Agostino Steffani“ (seit 1996 „Hannoversche Hofkapelle“). Mit diesem Ensemble brachte er die neuzeitliche Wiederaufführung von Agostino Steffanis Festoper „H e n r i c o L e o n e“ im Januar 1989 zum 300-jährigen Jubiläum des hannoverschen Opernhauses. Er dirigierte das Werk über zwei Spielzeiten bei ausverkauftem Haus und führte es auch in der Braunschweiger Oper und im Rahmen des Boston Early Music Festivals auf.

Agostino Steffani is one of those multi-talented personalities one often encounters in the baroque era - he was a man of the church who made it as far as titular bishop and mediator between Pope and Emperor. He was a much-travelled diplomat and politician, as well, who held high state offices up to minister, and he was a composer who wrote operas for the courts in Munich, Hanover and Dsseldorf. The Italian soprano Silvia Frigato and the Castor ensemble trace the stages of Steffani's life through a selection of arias from his operas.