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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A reissue of a benchmark recording., 24 Oct 2003
This recording first appeared at the end of the 1970s on LP and this is the first Admeto to make it onto CD. This is hard to understand as it is one of Handel's most dramatic stories, and with some lovely music to boot.With Alan Curtis and Il complesso Barocco in an earlier incarnation, then the scene is set for a lively and ground-breaking interpretation. Whilst Historically Informed Performances have moved on considerably with the passing of over two decades since first release (the oboes and violins sound abrasive by today's standards), and approaches to recitative have changed, nevertheless this is a sound and rewarding recording. This Admeto features Rene Jacobs in the title role, with Rachel Yakar as his queen Alceste; Ulrik Cold is Hercules, Rita Dams is in the trousers role as Orindo a gentleman at Admeto's court; Jill Gomez is Antigona a trojan princess and James Bowman is Admeto's brother Trasimede. Finally Max van Egmond is Antigona's tutor Meraspe. There is much good singing in this recording, though not all the performers are happy with the conventions of baroque phrasing and style. Rachel Yakar's vibrato can become a little tiresom, but Jill Gomez's much lighter tone handles Antigona's music with aplomb. James Bowman is in his finest voice as Trasimede, and both bass parts (Hercules and Meraspe) are stylishly sung. The only really weak part for me is Rene Jacobs. Countertenors have come a long way since the late 1970s, not only in terms of style and intonation, but also in theatricality. Jacobs is too mannered and 'nice' for this role. In any case, this is an excellent addition to anyone's Handel collection and come highly recommended as a classic of its time. The booklet notes by Winton Dean are authoritative and the conversion to CD is first-class.
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