Emilio de’ Cavalieri’s Rappresentatione di Anima et di Corpo was premiered in 1600 in Rome. It was conceived to be performed in costume, bringing text and music together in a dramatic form, and is accepted as the first surviving opera, pre-dating works by Peri and Monteverdi. Its theme is the dialogue of Soul and Body, a pivotal concept of the Italian Counter-Reformation, presented in allegorical form. This production by the acclaimed director Robert Carsen was hailed as ‘an unmitigated, tremendous success’ and its ‘musical production was extraordinary’ (bachtrack.com).

Robert Carsen, one of the world’s leading directors directed Pagliacci and Cavalleria rusticana (2110670 / NDB0117V): ‘The best pairing I’ve seen on film of opera’s most famous twins. Robert Carsen’s production is a radically fresh interpretation, but it works really well, and it’s wonderfully sung and conducted’ (MusicWeb International).

Anett Fritsch had great success in her debuts at Glyndebourne singing Almirena in Handel’s Rinaldo and with the part of Merione in Gluck’s Telemaco at the Theater an der Wien. She also made a triumphant debut as Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte at the Teatro Real Madrid, and has since made her Salzburg Festival debut.

Florian Boesch who sings Consiglio has recorded Schubert for Naxos on 8570067: ‘Boesch has a dark and heroically commanding voice; it has marvellous agility for such a large voice that he can use with declamatory power and reduce dramatically to a mere whisper with stunning results’ (American Record Guide).

Daniel Schmutzhard has sung Haydn in a theatrically spectacular version of The Creation on Naxos DVD (2110581 / NBD0080V). He has given concerts and song recitals in the Wiener Musikverein and Konzerthaus, Berlin Philharmonie, Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, Kölner Philharmonie, Salle Pleyel Paris, Salzburger Osterfestspiele and the Salzburger Mozartwoche and worked with Daniel Barenboim, Sir Simon Rattle, Franz Welser-Möst, Bertrand de Billy and René Jacobs.

Cast:
- Tempo, Mondo, Anima dannata: Georg Nigl (baritone)
- Intelletto: Cyril Auvity (tenor)
- Anima: Anett Fritsch (soprano)
- Corpo: Daniel Schmutzhard (baritone)
- Consiglio: Florian Boesch (bass-baritone)
- Piacere: Margherita Maria Sala (contralto)
- Compagni di Piacere: Michal Marhold (baritone), Matúš Šimko (tenor)
- Angelo custode: Carlo Vistoli (countertenor)