Robert Expert’s booklet-note insinuates a desire to be an expert by nature, too. Alas, the attractive packaging conceals poor-quality content: Expert claims that this premiere recording of a rare version of Mi palpita il cor featuring an oboe part is the most interesting of the four known versions but fails to say why. He makes reference to Handel having been a fine oboist and trumpeter, which is breaking news to Handel scholars. I could nitpick more; but Expert's singing of Italian texts is reliable enough although he is musically unimpressive and ill-at-ease with language in excerpts from Samson and L’Allegro. The ensemble Amarillis provide intelligent accompaniment and articulate solos which make the disc worth investigation.