For those not in the know, Franco Fagioli is an Argentinan operatic countertenor. Born in Argentina, Fagioli initially studied piano and then singing at the Superior Art Institute of the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires. He began his international career in 2003, when he won the Bertelsmann singing competition ‘Neue Stimmen’ in Gütersloh, Germany.

Fagioli has since made regular appearances at opera houses in Buenos Aires, Karlsruhe, Bonn, Zurich, Essen and Genoa, at the Theater an der Wien in Vienna and the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris. He has also been invited to perform at a number of festivals, including those in Halle, Ludwigsburg, Innsbruck and Froville.

He has also worked with conductors like Rinaldo Alessandrini, Alan Curtis, Gabriel Garrido, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, René Jacobs, José Manuel Quintana, Marc Minkowski, Riccardo Muti and Christophe Rousset.

Gluck: Orfeo ed Euridice, Fagioli's debut recording on Deutsche Grammophon / Archiv Produktion, is a chock-full 3CD box-set recording of the original Italian version (the Vienna version from 1762) of Gluck's beloved take on the Orpheus myth, Orfeo et Euridice PLUS extra music written by Gluck for later performances of his opera.

It includes virtuoso arias for Fagioli and as such represents a brilliant showcase for him and a collectible item for connoisseurs. He sings the title role in Christoph Willibald Gluck's "Orfeo ed Euridice", with Malin Hartelius as Euridice and Emmanuelle de Negri as Amor. The Insula Orchestra and the Accentus Chamber Choir is directed by Laurence Equilbey. Indeed, and it is also important to mention that this is Fagioli's first ever recording of a complete opera in which he sings the title role.

CD 1: ORPHEO
Highlights of the versions for Vienna (1762) and Paris (1774)

CD 2 & 3: ORFEO ED EURIDICE
Complete recording of the original version (Vienna 1762)

The role has become one of Fagioli's calling cards in recent seasons. It is known for its absolutely gorgeous music, including one of opera's most audience-pleasing tunes, the uber-famous aria Che farò senza Euridice. And, oh my, what an INCREDIBLE, thought-provoking album cover he has provided for us! Check that out and tell me you're not amusingly entralled!