The Handel Album

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GEORG FRIDERIC HANDEL
The Handel Album
Philippe Jaroussky (countertenor/director) / Ensemble Artaserse

[ Erato / Warner Classics / CD ]

Release Date: Sunday 15 October 2017

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This album, which focuses on arias from Handel's more rarely-performed operas, is the first that Philippe Jaroussky has devoted entirely to the composer - though his Erato discography already includes complete recordings of Faramondo, Partenope and, on DVD, Alcina, and arias by Handel feature on the countertenor's Carestini: A Castrato's Story. Praising Jaroussky in Handel, the New York Times has described him as "incomparable … thrilling of voice."

Now, for the first time, Jaroussky brings his impeccable Handelian credentials to an entire album devoted to arias by the composer, who produced thirty-five operas for the London stage between 1711 and 1741. For all Handel's current popularity, comparatively few of his operas are performed with great regularity. Works such as Giulio Cesare, Alcina, Ariodante, Agrippina, Serse, Rodelinda, Rinaldo, Partenope, Orlando, and Tamerlano have achieved varying degrees of currency, but, apart from an aria from Rodelinda, Jaroussky's new album puts the emphasis on operas we are less likely to hear in the theatre or concert hall: Amadigi di Gaula; Arianna in Creta; Flavio, re di Longobardi; Giustino; Imeneo; Radamisto (represented by no fewer than four arias); Riccardo primo, re d'Inghilterra; Siroe, re di Persia and Tolomeo, re di Egitto. A number of these operas were written for the famous castrato Senesino, who created many leading roles for Handel.

"Throughout Jaroussky's performance is entirely engaging, singing with an impressive range of emotion. Conspicuous is the countertenor's fluid tone, smooth and unforced, and his profound feeling for the text is often affecting. Recorded in Paris at Eglise Notre-Dame du Liban no problem whatsoever with the sound quality which is vividly clear and most satisfyingly balanced. The booklet is rather lavish containing sung texts with English translations...Jaroussky is in his element bringing the music to life with engagement and considerable aplomb." MusicWeb Nov 2017

"There's certainly plenty to enjoy in this generous selection of extracts. Jaroussky's singing is vital and buoyant, combining a light expressive touch with a high degree of accuracy; there's a sense of focus, too, in the ensemble's instrumental playing…he may not be a perfect singer, but he's always an engaging one." BBC Music

"Leading countertenor Philippe Jaroussky joins the period ensemble Artaserse in this very beautiful disc of Handel operatic arias. His voice is sublimely pure in arias that range from the slow lament to the rollicking - recorded with perfect balance and clarity. The listener will take wonder in both the superb performance and industry of Handel. It is simply music of the heart." Nicholas Butler/Marbecks

Tracks:

Se potessero i sospir' miei (from Imeneo)
Agitato da fiere tempeste (Riccardo Primo)
Son stanco (from Siroe)
Deggio morire, o stelle (from Siroe)
Sì, la voglio Arsamene (from Serse)
Ombra cara di mia sposa (from Radamisto)
Qual nave smarrita (from Radamisto)
Rompo i lacci (from Flavio)
Sussurate (from Amadigi)
Stille amare (Tolomeo)
Se parla nel mio cor (Giustino)
Pensa a serbarmi, oh cara (from Ezio)
Bel contento (from Flavio)

Philippe Jaroussky, countertenor records Handel's aria Stille Amare (Tolomeo)