Handel: Il pastor fido, HWV8a

For its harmonia mundi début, the London-based La Nuova Musica, led by David Bates, presents a true rarity: the original 1712 version of Handel's opera 'Il pastor fido' (The Faithful Shepherd) featuring Lucy Crowe, Anna Dennis, Katherine Manley, Madeleine Shaw and Clint van der Linde.

'Il pastor fido' was first performed at the Queen’s Theatre on 22 November 1712, but achieved only seven performances throughout the season. One unimpressed eyewitness complained in his diary ‘The Scene represented only ye Country of Arcadia. ye Habits were old – ye Opera Short.’

Handel’s distinctive original version of his Arcadian opera was not heard again until its first modern revival at Abingdon in 1971; more than 40 years on, this performance by La Nuova Musica is its first recording.

La Nuova Musica is a vocal and instrumental ensemble dedicated to the music of the European Renaissance and Baroque. In less than five years since its foundation by counter-tenor David Bates, it has shot to prominence in the UK and abroad, establishing itself amongst critics and audiences as both a fixture and a breath of fresh air. Across a steadily developing repertoire, La Nuova Musica performances are characterised by vividness and ardour. The Times wrote of its 2009 performance of Handel’s 'Acis and Galatea' at the London Handel Festival: “[Bates] breathed life, meaning and shape into every phrase. His speeds were properly brisk and his little band responded with playing of robust vigour.”

At the 2009 Aldeburgh Easter Festival, the group’s interpretation of Schütz’s 'Musikalische Exequien' proved, in the words of the Eastern Daily Press, “to be one of the sensations of the weekend…effortlessly sung.” Audiences were thrilled by La Nuova Musica’s recent account of Monteverdi’s Seventh Book of Madrigals at the Spitalfields Winter Festival: “extrovert, free-spirited and alive to every sob, sigh and smile” The Times. In 2012, LNM embarks on an exciting new relationship with Kings Place, curating the winter concert season around its own performance of Monteverdi’s 'Orfeo'. A recital with renowned countertenor Robin Blaze and a performance of Bach’s 'Christmas Oratorio' follow in 2013. In March, 2012 they will give concert performances of Handel’s 'Il pastor fido', featuring Lucy Crowe, Katherine Manley and Clint van der Linde, including on 13th April, the London Handel Festival.

This recording marks the group’s harmonia mundi début. Future projects will include Vivaldi Dixit Dominus RV807, Vivaldi In furore Iustissimae RV626 and Handel Dixit Dominus HWV232.