Recommended Handel Operas 2

The list author says:
	"Ezio - premiere recording once more from John Ostendorf, but cut, particularly in the recits. Vocally well below par for many of the soloists."

The list author says:
	"Orlando - Christie's recording with Patricia Bardon as Orlando, as an alternative to that of Hogwood and James Bowman. Perhaps this is more theatrical a performance, close miking of singers."

The list author says:
	"Tamerlano - 1980s recording by John Eliot Gardiner -thrilling singing from Derek Lee Ragin as Tamerlano and Michael Chance as Andronico - live recording, but a little cut and rearranged."

The list author says:
	"Alcina - probably the best recording on disc so far from Christie, starring Renee Fleming, Susan Graham et al"

The list author says:
	"Berenice - the only recording I know of so far - Ostendorf again, and perhaps the best of his offerings so far."

The list author says:
	"Muzio Scevola - another Ostendorf production - Slightly disappointing with inaccurate playing and tense singing. Delightful music though"

The list author says:
	"First recording of Lotario - an outstanding cast and orchestral playing. Suffers from some cuts in recit and in da capos of some (8) arias. Regretably not complete."

The list author says:
	"Sosarme - heavily cut Newport version which suffers from a dry-voiced D'Anna Fortunato reprising Senesino's role rather than Drew Minter."

The list author says:
	"Not quite as starry as the Decca version under Hogwood, and there are some alarming and annoying additions to the continuo playing, but the singing is very even across all characters and accomplished."

The list author says:
	"Atmospheric recording from the Bavarian State opera with Ann Murray as Xerxes and Chris Robson as Arsamenes. Rather brutal orchestral playing in parts, hysteric speeds at times."

The list author says:
	"Another live performance from the Bavarian State Opera; Ann Murray as Ariodante and Chris Robson as Polinesso - not as good as the DVD from English Opera."

The list author says:
	"A complete recording of Deidamia - outstanding cast and rehabilitates this neglected late opera. An essential for any operatic collection and deserves the praise it has won."

The list author says:
	"Another version of Tamerlano - cut and re-arranged. Not as good a recording as the DVD"

The list author says:
	"Very good recording of Rodelinda, and more complete than the Virgin Veritas issue. Hard to find now. Singing was fine, but again not as dramatic as the Glyndebourne tape."

The list author says:
	"Latest Cesare recording. Not as even as the Jacobs one, nor as complete. Uneven casting, though Bejun Mehta covers Ptolomy well. Mijanovic as Cesare is always slightly below the note. Disappointing."

The list author says:
	"A wonderful recording of Handel's penultimate opera - much improved on the Ostendorf Vox recording - a 'must have'. Anna Hallenberg the star as Tirinto."

The list author says:
	"An eagerly awaited recording of Siroe, one of Handel's least performed works. Recits are heavily cut and the overall effect is slightly bland. Ann Hallenberg as Siroe is superb though."

The list author says:
	"Jean-Claude Malgoire's live recording from 2003 with Philippe Jaroussky as Nerone, Veronique Gens as Agrippina - valuable counterpart to Eliot Gardiner's recording - disappointing singing from others."

The list author says:
	"Superb staging by David Alden and ENO. Chris Robson as Polinesso steals all his scenes as the wicked Duke. Anne Murray in the title role leads a reliable cast. Sung in English."

The list author says:
	"Much criticised staging from the Munich State opera. Superb playing on modern instruments, and sumptuous singing from David Daniels. Uneven quality in the rest of the cast."

The list author says:
	"Well acted and pretty well sung - live recording from the Halle Festival. Bare stark setting from Jonathan Miller allows you to focus on the characters."

The list author says:
	"Superb staging and all-round acting performance from ENO under Mackerras. Anne Murray's best role as Xerxes, and a cast of other ENO stalwarts. In English."

The list author says:
	"A cut and English version of Handel's classic, but an engaging performance -  Janet Baker at the end of her career and sadly premature retirement."

The list author says:
	"Superb staging of Handel's oratorio of Christian martyrdom in Roman antioch. Wonderful singing from Hunt Lieberson, Dawn Upshaw, Robert Croft and David Daniels."

The list author says:
	"superb and complete account of one of Handel's finest operas. Andreas Scholl as Bertarido, and a host of other superb singers. William Christie with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment."