Handel: Ariasby Anonymous

Reader Rating:
See Detailed Ratings

November 25, 2006: Angelika Kirchschlager has a committed following among lovers of Baroque music and the release of this superb CD should bring raves of applause from that audience as well as from anyone new to her voice fortunate to hear this fine recital. In excess of an hour of music is on this handsome CD with Kirchschlager magnificently collaborating with Lawrence Cummings conducting the period instrument ensemble of the Kammerorchester Basel. Included on this recital are some of the more challenging arias from Handel's operas, both familiar and unfamiliar to the audience. From 'Ariodante' she sings 'Qui d'amor', 'T'amerò dunque - Con l'ali di costanza', 'Scherza infida', and 'Dopo notte'. From 'Giulio Cesare in Egitto' she offers 'Svegliatevi nel core', 'Cara speme', and 'L'angue offeso'. Then in a gracious turn to works by Handel that are rarely performed she presents the cause for exhuming 'Arianna in Creta' with the arias 'Sdegnata sei', 'Oh patria! - Sol ristoro', 'Salda quercia', 'Qual leon', and 'Ove son - Qui ti sfido'. Kirchschlager's usual warmth of timbre and intensely intelligent phrasing brings a sense of the new to every one of these arias. This is a splendid recording and one that deserves very wide attention. Grady Harp