Description:

Hanneke van Bork, a name unfamiliar to many, offers a compelling portrayal of Sesto, her bright, soprano-leaning timbre bringing a youthful urgency to the character that is often lost with darker-voiced mezzos. The casting choices here may initially raise eyebrows—Elizabeth Harwood as Vitellia and Anne Evans as Servilia seem like unusual fits at first glance. Harwood, known more for her lighter roles, surprises with a newfound dramatic edge, while Evans, still a student at the Geneva Conservatory, astonishes with her vocal richness and poise. Her “S’altro che lagrime” is a masterclass in Mozart style, revealing depths in Servilia that are too often glossed over. The one disappointment is Herbert Handt, whose performance as Tito suffers from clear vocal discomfort, particularly in the arias. Nonetheless, the overall performance is rich in interpretive insight.

In Mono

OD 12023-2