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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Handel opera at its best, 21 Oct 2003
Handel's Giulio Cesare is one of Baroque opera's greatest highlights, first performed in 1725 with one of the greatest casts ever assembled. Reissued to celebrate the work of reknowned countertenor and conductor Rene Jacobs, this complete recording of Giulio Cesare should be a part of any serious Handel-lover's collection.As with the original, the casting here is superb. Barbara Schlick is formidable as Cleopatra, though perhaps not as sensuous as Lynne Dawson for Malgoire. Furio Zanasi is perfectly believable as the villain Achilla, general to the Ptolomey's army, at once martial and sensitive. As Tolomeo, we have the warm-toned American countertenor Derek Lee Ragin, who mixes around the vocal registers in a daring and delightfully petulant performance. Jennifer Larmore as Caesar is impressive in the martial and florid music, though perhaps a little less believable in the love music in Act 2. James Bowman for Malgoire has the march on her here. Overall this is an impressive account, the first HIP recording of the opera, with all the recitatives and arias in place on 4 cds for the price of 3. It also includes Nireno's aria as an appendix on cd4, sung by the inimitable Dominique Visse. Most recordings rush through the recits as if they are interludes between the big show-piece arias, but Jacobs gives them their due prominence in moving the story along at judicious tempos, and he encourages the singers to ornament their da capos in tasteful style. The playing of the Concerto Koln is virtuosic and impressive, though perhaps the continuo could have been slightly more forward in the recording. The booklet is excellent. Overall this is a highly recommended recording and earns its *****.
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