Label: Harmonia Mundi Catalog: 2908284/87 Format: CD&BOOK
Lisa Saffer, soprano (Cuzzoni); Lorraine Hunt, mezzo-soprano (Durastanti); Drew Minter, countertenor (Senesino) and David Thomas, bass (Montagnana) with the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra conducted by Nicholas McGegan
Part of a series of 5 Special Luxury Boxes to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the composer’s death.
Quite simply, this is the finest collection of Handel arias ever produced, and it gives a very unique approach to the works. The 4 disc set is arranged by voice type under the names of the singers with whom Handel would have worked with; Francesca Cuzzoni (soprano), Margherita Durastanti (mezz-soprano), Senesino (castrato), Antonio Montagnana (bass). Playing these 'roles' are Lisa Saffer, Lorraine Hunt, Drew Minter, and David Thomas, respectiviely. The arias run the gamut of Handel's operatic output, and feature some wonderful performances. Saffer sings a haunting 'piangero' from 'Giulio Cesare', while one of the nice surprises is the disc of bass arias sung by David Thomas, who displays great vocal agility for a big voice. This collection shows all the standard Handel arias, but also re-introduces some forgotten gems. The accompaning booklet is a wonderful resource that complements the CDs. A fanatstic set to celebrate this Handel anniversary!
harmonia mundi honours the 250th anniversary of the death of Handel (1685-1759) by inviting you to discover these outstanding box set assembling his greatest masterpieces by genre, in epoch-making versions which are still regarded as benchmarks today: operas, arias by famous soloists. Five deluxe sets that demonstrate the composer's full emotional range.
Arias written for Handel's favorite singers from: Acis and Galatea, Agrippina, Alessandro, Arianna, Athalia, Deborah, Esther, Ezio, Flavio, Giulio Cesare, Muzio Scevola, Orlando, Ottone, Radamisto, Riccardo Primo, Rodelinda, Scipione, Sorsarmen, Tamerlano and Tolomeo
harmonia mundi fête le 250 anniversaire de la mort de Haendel (1685-1759). A cette occasion, vous êtes invités à découvrir ces coffrets exceptionnels, rasseblant par genre ses plus grands chefs-d'oeuver, dans des interprétations qui ont fait date et restent des références: opéras et oratorios dirigés par René Jacobs, concerti grossi Richard Egarr et L'Academy of Ancient Music, Arias par des solistes de renom...Toute la palette émotionnelle du maitre rassemblée dans cinq coffrets de luxe.
