Classical Music Forum banner

Handel operas on CD

5K views 19 replies 9 participants last post by  doors1991 
#1 ·
I'm recently getting into Handel's operas. They contain some wonderful music. Any favourites and recordings? recommendations?
 
#2 ·
Possibly the best known of Handel's operas is Giulio Cesare and this recording is superlative. The excellent Jennifer Larmore in the title role performs the coloratura with great skill and don't be surprised if you find your jaw dropping at the combination of flexibility and strength in her voice. I only know Schlick from this recording, but she is a sympathetic Cleopatra and then Fink and Rorholm are very good as Cornelia and Sesto respectively. Jacobs can be variable, but he is on stunning form here. There are quite a few recordings of this opera, but this one takes some beating!

Font Art Musical instrument Publication Painting


N.
 
#3 · (Edited)
This is a wonderful DVD (and you can get it on CD).
Cast: Dame Janet Baker, Valerie Masterson, James Bowman, John Tomlinson, Della Jones, et al.
Sung in English but that does not detract one bit in my opinion. I don't like countertenors but James Bowman does a magnificent job in this.


Here are a couple samples (my favorite two arias from it):

 
#4 · (Edited)
I don't have many complete operas on CD, though I do have quite a few Handel recitals.

I would however recommend this.



It's one of Handel's greatest operas, brilliantly cast here.

His orotorios are often staged these days, and this one is superb and available either on CD or DVD.





Excellently cast with Lorraine Hunt Lieberson absolutely exceptional.
 
#5 ·
My favourite Handel opera is Ariodante and my favourite recording is this one:

Dress Flash photography Style Sleeve Poster


Von Otter is the perfect Handelian and whilst she may not have the nobility and taste of a Janet Baker, she is unmatched in the title role as far as modern recordings are concerned (it will be interesting to see what Di Donato makes of the role in performance). The rest of the cast are all very good too, with Podles a superb villain and Dawson a tender heroine. If you aren't a countertenor fan then this is the recording for you (completely countertenor free). Minkowski conducts with verve and energy and the overall cast are perfect for their roles. Highly recommended.

N.
 
#9 ·
My favourite Handel opera is Ariodante and my favourite recording is this one:

View attachment 120776

Von Otter is the perfect Handelian and whilst she may not have the nobility and taste of a Janet Baker, she is unmatched in the title role as far as modern recordings are concerned (it will be interesting to see what Di Donato makes of the role in performance). The rest of the cast are all very good too, with Podles a superb villain and Dawson a tender heroine. If you aren't a countertenor fan then this is the recording for you (completely countertenor free). Minkowski conducts with verve and energy and the overall cast are perfect for their roles. Highly recommended.

N.
Agreed! I have this. My one reservation is that the conductor tends to drive the music rather hard in places.
 
#15 ·
I like Jacobs Rinaldo the best. Cesare is amazing, but it's so long. My favorite, thus far, is Arminio with Cencic on Decca.

I love Baroque opera and to me there is absolutely nothing that comes close to this:

Facial expression Flash photography Happy Fashion Cool


There is absolutely not one single dull moment, the story is great, and the performances are outstanding. In fact, Artaserse is probably in my top 3 of favorite operas, behind Le nozze di Figaro and Don Giovanni.

Sorry, I'm plugging this work at any opportunity.
 
#16 ·
I like Jacobs Rinaldo the best. Cesare is amazing, but it's so long. My favorite, thus far, is Arminio with Cencic on Decca.

I love Baroque opera and to me there is absolutely nothing that comes close to this:

View attachment 120981

There is absolutely not one single dull moment, the story is great, and the performances are outstanding. In fact, Artaserse is probably in my top 3 of favorite operas, behind Le nozze di Figaro and Don Giovanni.

Sorry, I'm plugging this work at any opportunity.
Not problem. Never heard of it but always nice to hear of possibilities.
 
#19 ·
I have this Rodelinda on CD and I like it, though I'm not the typical opera listener.




Handel: Rodelinda

Sophie Daneman (soprano), Adrian Thompson (tenor), Katherin Robbin (soprano), Robin Blaze (bass) & Christopher Purves (tenor)
The Raglan Baroque Players, Nicholas Kraemer
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top