Recommended Handel Operas

The list author says:
	"Tolomeo - premiere recording - Some good singing by Jennifer Lane as Tolomeo, others less good. Surprisingly the best of the Vox recordings in my opinion."

The list author says:
	"Riccardo Primo - premiere recording, outstanding singing - particularly Sara Mingardo as Riccardo. A must for any collection."

The list author says:
	"Superb new live recording of Handel's comic masterpiece. Brilliant singing from von Otter in the title role and Larry Zazzo as Arsamene. Crisp and alert playing from Les Arts Florissants. A must-have"

The list author says:
	"Giulio Cesare - benchmark recording by Rene Jacobs - superb, with a venomous Ptolemy in Derek Lee Ragin. Outdoes the more recent recordings."

The list author says:
	"Amadigi - energetic premiere recording by Minkowski - outstanding singing from Nathalie Stutzmann as Amadigi, and full of poignant and action scenes. An underrated opera that deserves greater exposure"

The list author says:
	"Arminio - outstanding premiere recording, awarded www.gfhandel.org prize for 2002 recording"

The list author says:
	"Giustino - only recording so far - outstanding singing from Michael Chance under Nicholas McGegan's direction"

The list author says:
	"Superb rendition of Sosarme under its first incarnation, Fernando re di Castilia; superb singing and playing all round in a complete performance"

The list author says:
	"Handel heroic operatic arias from veteran singer James Bowman - mainly responsible in the 70s and 80s for the current renaissance of interest in Handelian opera"

The list author says:
	"Hercules - benchmark recording by Minkowski - von Otter, Daniels etc"

The list author says:
	"Choice of Hercules - wonderful singing by Susan Gritton, Alice Coote and Robin Blaze - essential to any collection"

The list author says:
	"Radamisto - another premiere for McGegan - not one of his best recordings, but the only one of this opera worth having at the moment. A hooty Ralf Popken in the title role."

The list author says:
	"Poro - underrated later Handel opera - worth getting hold of, if you can. Wonderful singing from Gloria Banditelli and Gerard Lesnes among others."

The list author says:
	"Orlando - benchmark recording by Christopher Hogwood - outstanding lead by James Bowman. Emma Kirkby in radiant form, and David Thomas surprisingly good."

The list author says:
	"Flavio - delightful early opera, partially comedic and anti-heroic - excellent Jacobs recording with spectacular virtuosity from Derek Lee Ragin amongst others"

The list author says:
	"Rodelinda - slightly underplayed recording, but passionate singing from Sophie Daneman and Daniel Taylor. Less dramatic than the Glyndebourne video, and also less complete."

The list author says:
	"Admeto - one of Handel's central operas, slightly abrasive 1970s recording remastered for CD - James Bowman in good voice, Rene Jacobs 'scooping'."

The list author says:
	"Silla - premiere recording with James Bowman in title role, London Handel Festival recording - atmospheric"

The list author says:
	"Teseo - spectacular magical premiere recording by Minkowski - listen out for vocal fireworks from Ragin and Jeffrey Gall"

The list author says:
	"Ariodante - another outstanding recording from Minkowski with von Otter as the eponymous hero Ariodante"

The list author says:
	"Rodrigo - early Handel opera, restored and slightly cut by Alan Curtis - recommended. Exquisite singing and playing."

The list author says:
	"Agrippina - outstanding recording by John Elliot Gardiner - exquisite singing throughout by 3 countertenors - Chance, Ragin and Kenny"

The list author says:
	"Partenope - sound recording and by far the best available, if you can get it. Chandos have a new one coming out in May 2005."

The list author says:
	"Faramondo - cut version but only recording thus far. Not one of Palmer's best recordings of Handel, but a decent introduction to an underrated opera."

The list author says:
	"Ottone - Robert King's recording with James Bowman an outstanding lead"