Building on the success of its acclaimed 2022 world-premiere recording of Joseph Bologne’s L’Amant Anonyme, Haymarket Opera Company (HOC) has turned its attention to Leonardo Vinci’s final opera, Artaserse, recording the work this past summer.

First staged in Rome in 1730, Artaserse enjoyed frequent productions throughout the 18th century, yet it has never been professionally produced in the United States.

Set in ancient Persia, the opera is a gripping story of royal intrigue, murder, hidden love, and unrelenting ambition. With a libretto by the celebrated Pietro Metastasio, Vinci’s Artaserse combines emotional intensity with dazzling vocal virtuosity. To bring this masterpiece to life, HOC has assembled a remarkable cast: countertenors Kangmin Justin Kim, Key’mon Murrah, and Ryan Belongie; mezzo-soprano Emily Fons; male soprano Elijah McCormick; and tenor Eric Ferring.

This new recording not only highlights the brilliance of Vinci’s score and the artistry of its performers, but also promises to become a vital reference for future productions—distinguished by HOC’s inventive use of diverse voice types beyond the traditional countertenor roles.