NUITS BLANCHES (White Nights) Karina Gauvin, soprano Pacific Baroque Orchestra Alexander Weimann, direction and fortepiano ACD2 2791 Nuits Blanches (White Nights) is a much anticipated new recording by soprano Karina Gauvin, who stylishly animates the opera heroines of the 18th century Russian court.   Musical life during the reign of Tsar Peter the Great was a rich blend of diverse styles and influences originating from all over Europe.   The Tsar was known for his love of music, a tradition that was carried on by his successors, the Empresses Anne, Elizabeth, and Catherine II, who cultivated cosmopolitan tastes for all kinds of music, including opera. Karina Gauvin sings arias from rarely heard operas by Russian composers such as Dmitri Stepanovich Bortniansky (Alcide) and Maxim Sozontovich Berezovsky (Demofoonte), and German composer Christoph Willibald Gluck (Armide). Karina Gauvin's recordings include her solo CDs on the ATMA Classique label as well as contributions to more than 50 other discs, and have won numerous prizes including a Chamber Music America Award for Fête Galante with pianist Marc-André Hamelin, a JUNO and a Félix for Prima donna, and several Opus prizes and three Grammy nominations. The Pacific Baroque Orchestra (PBO) is recognized as one of Canada's most exciting and innovative ensembles performing “early music for modern ears.”   PBO brings the music of the past up to date by performing with cutting edge style and enthusiasm.   Formed in 1990, the orchestra quickly established itself as a force in Vancouver's burgeoning music scene with the ongoing support of Early Music Vancouver. Alexander Weimann has been PBO's Artistic Director since 2009.   After traveling the world with ensembles like Tragicomedia, and as frequent guest with Cantus Cölln, the Freiburger Barockorchester, Gesualdo Consort and Tafelmusik, he now focuses on his activities as conductor of the Pacific Baroque Orchestra in Vancouver, Music Director of the Seattle Baroque Orchestra and regular guest conductor of ensembles including the Montreal Symphony, Symphony Nova Scotia, Arion Baroque Orchestra in Montreal and the Portland Baroque Orchestra. Dmitri Stepanovich Bortniansky 1. Air d'Elvire: “Ne me parlez point” from Le Faucon (1786) Domenico dall'Oglio (c.1700-1764) 2. Sinfonia Cossaca Christoph Willibald Gluck (1714-1787) 3. II.5 “Enfin, il est en ma puissance” 4. III.1 “Ah! si la liberté” 5. III.5 “O ciel! quelle horrible menace” 6. V.2 Gratioso 7. V.4 “Le perfide Renaud me fuit” from Armide Dmitri Stepanovich Bortniansky 8. Overture from Le Faucon Dmitri Stepanovich Bortniansky (1751-1825)   9. Aria: “Mi sorprende” 10. Recitative: “In qual mar” 11. Aria: “Dei clementi” Yevstegniy Ipatievich Fomin (1761-1800) 12. Overture from The Coachmen Maxim Sozontovich Berezovsky (1745-1777) 13. Aria: “Mentre il cor” 14. Aria: “Misero pargoletto” from Demofoonte ATMA Classique is distributed in Australia by Rockian Trading PO Box 44, Briar Hill, Vic, 3088, Australia Telephone +61 (0)3 9432 4149 ~ Facsimile +61 (0)3 9444 6879