Handel: Cosi la tortorella (from La Resurrezione)

“It is splendid to hear a singer of abundant personality leaping into the suicide scene from Tamerlano with such dramatic authority. Listening to Villazón's lively rendition of Bajazet's "Ciel e terra armi di sdegno", I find myself eager to see him sing the role on stage. ...the enthusiasm seems infectious: McCreesh's Gabrieli Players have rarely sounded better and more dramatically attuned in this repertoire. This disc is zany in some ways, but offers fine rewards.” Gramophone Magazine, May 2009

“Villazón sings everything with such intensity and fire that you surrender to him. His performance of Ariodante's Scherza Infida is among the most beautiful and keenly felt on disc. If he'd been around in the 18th century, Handel would probably have adored him.” The Guardian, 10th April 2009 ****

“Villazón’s first number, one of three from Tamerlano, blasts us with a degree of bravura and sunshine rarely encountered among the regular male Baroque singers…” The Times, 20th March 2009 ***

“Bostridge is sharply attuned to the subtlety of Handel's work setting, colouring his sound with a rich palette of timbres and effects: sonorous and sensuous in 'Ombra mai fù', hauntingly stark in 'Total eclipse'. …Harry Bicket's direction is sensitive and unfussy - tempos are well-judged, allowing him to shape Handel's long-breathed melodic lines with supple grace.” BBC Music Magazine, Proms 2007 ****

“Bostridge’s care over colouring and shading refreshes numerous chestnuts...No self-conscious art here; it’s the music that speaks.” The Times, 13th July 2007 ****

“...high points of the disc include Where'er you walk, and the uplifting Comfort ye…Ev'ry valley from The Messiah. However, with Bostridge's vocal precision and smooth tone the whole disc is undoubtedly an enjoyable listen.” Charlotte Gardner, bbc.co.uk, 16th January 2008