Handel - Opera Duets

Intelligent design and singers on top form make for an exquisite selection

Record and Artist Details

Composer or Director: George Frideric Handel

Genre:

Vocal

Label: Naïve

Media Format: CD or Download

Media Runtime: 72

Mastering:

Stereo
DDD

Catalogue Number: OP30483

Tracks:

Composition Artist Credit
Poro, Re dell'Indie, Movement: Ouverture George Frideric Handel, Composer
Concerto Italiano
George Frideric Handel, Composer
Rinaldo Alessandrini, Conductor
Poro, Re dell'Indie, Movement: Caro amico amplesso! George Frideric Handel, Composer
Concerto Italiano
George Frideric Handel, Composer
Rinaldo Alessandrini, Conductor
Sandrine Piau, Soprano
Sara Mingardo, Mezzo soprano
Orlando, Movement: ~ George Frideric Handel, Composer
Concerto Italiano
George Frideric Handel, Composer
Rinaldo Alessandrini, Conductor
Radamisto, Movement: ~ George Frideric Handel, Composer
Concerto Italiano
George Frideric Handel, Composer
Rinaldo Alessandrini, Conductor
Flavio, Re di Longobardi, Movement: Recit & Aria: Mà chi punir desio George Frideric Handel, Composer
Concerto Italiano
George Frideric Handel, Composer
Rinaldo Alessandrini, Conductor
Tamerlano, Movement: Più di una tigre altero George Frideric Handel, Composer
Concerto Italiano
George Frideric Handel, Composer
Rinaldo Alessandrini, Conductor
Tamerlano, Movement: Duet: Vivo in te George Frideric Handel, Composer
Concerto Italiano
George Frideric Handel, Composer
Rinaldo Alessandrini, Conductor
Ezio, Movement: Ah! Non son io ce parlo George Frideric Handel, Composer
Concerto Italiano
George Frideric Handel, Composer
Rinaldo Alessandrini, Conductor
Rinaldo, Movement: ~ George Frideric Handel, Composer
Concerto Italiano
George Frideric Handel, Composer
Rinaldo Alessandrini, Conductor
Amadigi di Gaula, Movement: ~ George Frideric Handel, Composer
Concerto Italiano
George Frideric Handel, Composer
Rinaldo Alessandrini, Conductor
Ottone, Re di Germania, Movement: ~ George Frideric Handel, Composer
Concerto Italiano
George Frideric Handel, Composer
Rinaldo Alessandrini, Conductor
Rinaldo Alessandrini has directed plenty of Handel’s music in concert halls, churches and opera houses but has not committed much of it to disc. However, this shrewdly chosen anthology of overtures, arias and duets is another outstanding contribution to Concerto Italiano’s small Handel discography. A welcome relief from the plethora of unimaginative vanity recitals, almost none of this programme is predictable, but instead flows seamlessly through some of Handel’s finest lesser-known operatic music. Numbers from Flavio, Ezio and Alessandro are not inferior to the much-hackneyed favourites from Giulio Cesare and Alcina that usually litter such programmes, and this excellent selection reveals plenty about the composer’s genius for us to cherish. Moreover, the balance between solo spots for Sara Mingardo and Sandrine Piau (both on their very best form), several different kinds of dramatic duets and two fine overtures is intelligently designed. The duets are exquisitely interpreted and show an excellent feeling for musico-dramatic character: the two singers combine to rapturous effect in “Caro! Dolce! Amico amplesso” (Poro), one of Handel’s most erotic and gentle love duets, but they are also fantastic at conveying the unbridled exuberance of love in “Scherzano sul tuo volto” (Rinaldo). Piau is in her element in Fulvia’s intensely emotive soliloquy from Ezio (“Ah! Non son io che parlo”) and her coloratura is magnificent in Lisaura’s enraged “No, più soffrir non voglio” (Alessandro). Mingardo is comparably brilliant and lyrical in Dardano’s lament “Pena tiranna” (Amadigi) and Alessandro’s love aria “Da un breve riposo” is sung (and played) with hushed subtlety. The singing is of a miraculous standard throughout, and the performances are consummately insightful and naturalistic. Much of the credit must go to Alessandrini, who directs every accompaniment with perfect dramatic appositeness and natural compassion for Handel’s writing. The lilting siciliano “Mà chi punir desio” (Flavio) is ideally weighted and phrased, the fine overture to Alessandro is excellently articulated, and the recorders in “Vivo in te” (Tamerlano) are beautifully played. If only more Handel recital discs were as wonderful as this!

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