Almirante (PH 121) was conceived by Baroque and early music specialist Jörg Zwicker, who originally intended to compile a disc of Baroque duets for soprano and alto. Despite stylistic differences among the composers, compiling the arias was simple for Zwicker because the texts demonstrated a contextual bond. Instead of a straightforward compilation of Baroque duets, however, Zwicker and librettist Thomas Höft invented a new love story with a supplementary libretto, creating, in essence, a dramaturgical framework for these musically diverse masterpieces. Handel was known to have written a number of pastiches himself, including arias and melodies by other composers, so this idea was not so unique. By using recitatives to link arias together, Zwicker and Höft formed this “new” Baroque opera featuring the heroine Almirante. The opera features music by Daniel and Henry Purcell, Georg Friedrich Handel, Johann Joseph Fux, and Johann Sebastian Bach, performed by soprano Deborah York and alto Lydia Vierlinger.

This recording from 1992-93 features two powerhouse performers-German bass-baritone Thomas Quasthoff and Swedish baritone Håkan Hågagard-in three beloved works by Gustav Mahler: Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen, Des Knaben Wunderhorn, and Kindertotenlieder. The late Israeli conductor/composer Gary Bertini leads the Kölner Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester.