All recordingsPrices shown exclude VAT. (UK tax is not payable for deliveries to United States.)
See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  | Recorded live at Glyndebourne Opera House, Lewes August 2011
Skin-tight rubber and lacrosse sticks bring contemporary chic to this timeless fantasy of warriors and witches in Robert Carsen's fun-filled transformation of Handel's first London triumph. Conducting from the keyboard just as Handel himself did, Ottavio Dantone leads a youthful cast of today's luminaries in the dramatic art of Baroque opera, the 'affecting' Sonia Prina, the 'unadorned intensity' of Anett Fritsch and 'fire-breathing flair' (The Observer) of Brenda Rae. Glyndebourne continues to celebrate the genius of Handel with its first staging of Rinaldo, the work with which he made his sensational London debut – and the first Italian opera specifically created for the British stage. Rinaldo is given a contemporary new twist through the eyes of Director Robert Carsen, who made his Festival debut with L’incoronazione di Poppea in 2008. Early music specialist Ottavio Dantone, Music Director of the acclaimed Italian period ensemble Accademia Bizantina conducts the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. The cast is headed by Sonia Prina in the title-role of the heroic crusader, with Anett Fritsch as his beloved Almirena, Brenda Rae as the seductive Saracen sorceress Armida, and Luca Pisaroni (last summer’s Leporello) as her duplicitous ally Argante, the King of Jerusalem. Running time: 190 minutes Subtitles: EN/FR/DE Sound format: 2.0LPCM + 5.1(5.0) DTS “none can top the presence and authority of Luca Pisaroni’s Saracan [sic] king Argante. Directing from his tinkling harpsichord, Ottavio Dantone encourages the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment to be light, bright and Italian. Listen wholeheartedly; watch with caution.” The Times, 3rd August 2012 *** “Despite major reservations about the concept, it's impossible to deny the effectiveness of the staging...All the individual performances are well-acted; the Blu-ray edition providing added detail. Vocally, too, there are some impressive offerings...Dantone conducts a strongly characterised performance founded on the alert playing of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.” BBC Music Magazine, November 2012 *** | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
|
|
| |  | Recorded live at Glyndebourne Opera House, Lewes August 2011
Skin-tight rubber and lacrosse sticks bring contemporary chic to this timeless fantasy of warriors and witches in Robert Carsen's fun-filled transformation of Handel's first London triumph. Conducting from the keyboard just as Handel himself did, Ottavio Dantone leads a youthful cast of today's luminaries in the dramatic art of Baroque opera, the 'affecting' Sonia Prina, the 'unadorned intensity' of Anett Fritsch and 'fire-breathing flair' (The Observer) of Brenda Rae. Glyndebourne continues to celebrate the genius of Handel with its first staging of Rinaldo, the work with which he made his sensational London debut – and the first Italian opera specifically created for the British stage. Rinaldo is given a contemporary new twist through the eyes of Director Robert Carsen, who made his Festival debut with L’incoronazione di Poppea in 2008. Early music specialist Ottavio Dantone, Music Director of the acclaimed Italian period ensemble Accademia Bizantina conducts the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. The cast is headed by Sonia Prina in the title-role of the heroic crusader, with Anett Fritsch as his beloved Almirena, Brenda Rae as the seductive Saracen sorceress Armida, and Luca Pisaroni (last summer’s Leporello) as her duplicitous ally Argante, the King of Jerusalem. Running time: 190 minutes Subtitles: EN/FR/DE Sound format: 2.0LPCM + 5.1(5.0) DTS “none can top the presence and authority of Luca Pisaroni’s Saracan [sic] king Argante. Directing from his tinkling harpsichord, Ottavio Dantone encourages the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment to be light, bright and Italian. Listen wholeheartedly; watch with caution.” The Times, 3rd August 2012 *** “Despite major reservations about the concept, it's impossible to deny the effectiveness of the staging...All the individual performances are well-acted...Vocally, too, there are some impressive offerings...Dantone conducts a strongly characterised performance founded on the alert playing of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.” BBC Music Magazine, November 2012 *** “What is here is some exhilarating music-making, both vocal and instrumental. Ottavio Dantone leads an orchestral with a spring in its step and some fine playing...[Argante] is splendidly taken by Luca Pisaroni, one of the best bass-baritones in Baroque opera...[Frisch] brings a touch of determination to overcome the anguish in 'Lascia ch'io pianga' while retaining a lucent tone.” International Record Review, October 2012 “it is the sorceress and her lover, the Saracen king Argante, who steal the show. Oozing malign sexuality, the vocally fiery Brenda Rae becomes a movingly vulnerable figure in her anguished aria after she has been rejected...If you suspect that Carsen's wacky take on Handel's heroic magic opera is for you, be assured that the OAE play with style and élan under Ottavio Dantone's energising direction.” Gramophone Magazine, January 2013 | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
|
|
| |  | Live recording from the Prinzregenten Theater, Munich 2001
David Daniels (Rinaldo), Noëmi Nadelmann (Armida), Deborah York (Almirena), David Walker (Goffredo), Axel Köhler (Eustazio), Egils Silins (Argante), Charles Maxwell (Mago christano/Donna) Orchestra of the Bavarian State Opera, Harry Bicket (conductor) & David Alden (stage director) Sets Design by Paul Steinberg Costume Design by Buki Shiff Ethereal music, a fairytale plot, beguiling sets and spectacular special effects – all these combined to make Rinaldo in every sense the Baroque multimedia event par excellence. In his modern staging, producer David Alden has resorted to all kinds of magic tricks. The mourning Almirena, for example, is suspended like a paralysed mermaid in a neon-blue water tank for her aria “Lascia ch’io pianga”. Armida constantly struggles to make her obstinate pet Hydra see reason, and no expense is spared on the stylishly artistic dance interludes. The characters move in an ironic blend of Twenties look, trendy club scene and ‘sacro’ kitsch. Unsurprisingly, opera-goers were quick to latch onto such a glittering and star-studded production. Indeed, there can be no doubt that the American David Daniels is the undisputed star of this Munich production, even alongside the other famous names on the cast list. The young conductor Harry Bicket directs the musical action from the harpsichord and “from the depths of the orchestra pit at the Bavarian State Opera conjures up mini-marvels of his own.” (Opera Now) Sound Format: PCM Stereo, DD 5.1, DTS 5.1 Picture Format: 16:9 DVD Format: DVD 5 + DVD 9, NTSC Subtitle Languages: IT (Original Language), GB, DE, FR, ES Running Time: 164 mins FSK: 0 | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
|
|
| |  |
Marilyn Horne (Rinaldo), Cecilia Gasdia (Almirena), Christine Weidinger (Armida), Natale de Carolis (Argante), Fabio Tartari (Herald), Caterina Calvi (Siren), Carlo Colombara (Christian Magician) Orchestra della Teatro La Fenice di Venezia, John Fisher | | | (also available to download from $21.00) | Usually despatched in 4 - 5 working days. (Available now to download.) |
|
|
| |  |
Recording Date: 2001 Place of recording: Prinzregententheater, Munich Running Time: 163 min (plus 45 min) Picture Format: 16:9 Sound Format: PCM Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1 Menu Languages PAL: D, F, GB, SP Subtitle Languages PAL: D, F, GB, I, SP Includes 'Handel, The Entertainer' - a portrait of the composer. | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
|
|
| |  |
Each release includes a booklet with a three-language synopsis (English/French/German), full cast list and detailed track list. Recorded in 1977 | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
|
|
| |  | (complete opera - original 1711 version)
“most familiar and unfamiliar opera: familiar because, as his lavish first stage work for London, it has been much written about both by modern historians and by the composer's contemporaries; unfamiliar because the Handel opera revival of recent years has largely passed it by. Although there are numerous recordings of its two hit slow arias – 'Lascia ch'io pianga' and 'Cara sposa' – this is its first complete studio recording for over 20 years. It may not be Handel's most dramatically effective work (Act 3 marks time rather), and its magic effects and transformation scenes no doubt make it a tricky prospect for opera companies, but in many ways its rich orchestration and impressive set-piece arias make it ideal for recording. That much makes this release a welcome sight already; add the de luxe cast Decca has assembled for the purpose and it begins to look irresistible.
Top of the bill come David Daniels as the eponymous crusader knight and Cecilia Bartoli as his love Almirena. Daniels' heart-stopping countertenor voice is one of the marvels of our age. It isn't big, and though he's technically untroubled by the virtuoso runs of the quicker arias, some may feel it lacks some of the heroic power expected of a warrior; but there's an inner strength to it, and in the love music he's utterly convincing. Bartoli is equally impressive, though her singing is less well suited to Handel. She can deliver the most demanding music with almost frightening ease and force, and, as ever, she throws herself into her role, but one can't help thinking that a more natural and unaffected style would have been more appropriate for arias such as 'Lascia ch'io pianga' and 'Augeletti che cantate'. The rest of the cast is almost unwaveringly strong. Daniel Taylor is slightly less technically secure or forceful than the others (which is hardly a criticism), but he does well enough with the opera's least effective role as Goffredo's brother Eustazio.
Christopher Hogwood's direction is typically neat and well-mannered. He isn't a natural opera conductor – others may have found more magic in the enchanted gardens and more sensuality in the sirens who lure Rinaldo, and you sometimes get the feeling that he's rushing the singers at important moments – but he has an unerring sense of tempo, and the opera as a whole is well paced.
The Academy of Ancient Music plays to a high standard, backed up by a startlingly virtuoso performance on the Drottningholm thunder machine and by some genuine birdsong at the beginning of Act 2.
This version may not be the last word on the opera, but for all-round standard of performance and production it currently wins hands down and it will take some beating.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010 “[Daniels] makes an ideal choice for the castrato role of Rinaldo, strong and imaginative in martial music, tenderly expressive in such a poignant aria as Cara sposa...[Bartoli] makes Lascia ch'io pianga one of the highlights of the performance. Luba Organasova is wonderfully contrasted in the fire-eating role of the sorceress...Above all, Christopher Hogwood brings out not only the colour but the vigour of Handel's inspiration.” Penguin Guide, 2010 **** | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
|
|
| |  |
Kimberly Barber (Rinaldo), Laura Whalen (Almirena), Jennifer Enns Modolo (Eustazio), Barbara Hannigan (Armida), Marion Newman (Goffredo), Sean Watson (Argante), The Aradia Ensemble, Kevin Mallon “spirited and stylish” Evening Standard “Mallon opts for the first version of the score...The cast is made up of fresh, youthful-sounding singers, none of them strikingly characterful but all of them stylish, with clean, fresh voices and immaculate techniques...Vivid, open sound. An excellent bargain, despite the lack of a full libretto.” Penguin Guide, 2010 **/* | | | (also available to download from $12.50) | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. (Available now to download.) |
|
|
| |  | Handel Opera Collection
Handel: | Rinaldo 3 CDs Carolyn Watkinson: Mezzo-Soprano (Rinaldo), Paul Esswood: Contralto (Goffredo), Charles Brett: Contralto (Eustazio), Ulrik Cold: Bass (Argante), Armand Arapian: Bass (Mago Christiano/Araldo), Ileana Cotrubas: Soprano (Almirena), Jeanette Scovotti: Soprano (Armida) & Marie-Francoise Jacquelin, Nicole Leport: Soprano (Sirene) Le Grande Ecurie et La Chambre du Roy, Jean-Claude Malgoire Giulio Cesare in Egitto 2 CDs Beverly Sills: Soprano (Cleopatra), Beverly Wolff: Mezzo-Soprano (Sextus), Maureen Forrester: Contralto (Cornelia), William Beck: Baritone (Curio), Dominic Cossa: Baritone (Achillas), Norman Treigle: Bass Baritone (Julius Caesar), Michael Devlin: Bass Baritone (Nirenus), Spiro Malas: Bass (Ptolemy), Eugenia Earle & Julius Rudel: Harpsichord New York City Opera Orchestra & New York City Opera Chorus, Julius Rudel Tamerlano 3 CDs Mieke van der Sluis: Soprano (Asteria), Isabelle Poulenard: Soprano (Irene), Henri Ledroit: Countertenor (Tamerlano), John Elwes: Countertenor (Bajazet), René Jacobs: Countertenor (Andronico) & Gregory Reinhart: Bass (Leone) La Grande Ecurie et la Chambre du Roy, Jean-Claude Malgoire Rodelinda 3 CDs Barbara Schlick: Soprano (Rodelinda), Claudia Schubert: Alto (Eduige), David Cordier: Countertenor (Bertarido), Kai Wessel: Countertenor (Unulfo), Christoph Prégardien: Tenor (Grimoaldo) & Gotthold Schwarz: Bass (Garibaldo) La Stagione, Michael Schneider Alessandro, HWV21 3 CDs Sophie Boulin: Soprano (Rossane), Isabelle Poulenard: Soprano (Lisaura), Ria Bollen: Contralto (Cleone), René Jacobs: Countertenor (Alessandro), Jean Nirouet: Countertenor (Tassile), Guy de Mey: Tenor (Leonato) & Stephen Varcoe: Bass (Clito) La Petite Bande, Sigiswald Kuijken Lotario, HWV 26 2 CDs Simone Kermes: Adelaide, Soprano, Sara Mingardo: Lotario, Contralto, Hilary Summers: Idelberto, Contralto, Sonia Prina: Matilde, Contralto, Steve Davislim: Berendario, Tenor & Vito Priante: Clodomiro, Bass Il Complesso Barocco, Alan Curtis Partenope, HWV 27 3 CDs Krisztina Laki: Partenope, Soprano, Rosmira: Helga Müller Molinari, Contralto, Arsace:René Jacobs, Contralto, Emilio: Martyn Hill, Tenor, John York Skinner, Countertenor & Ormonte: Stephen Varcoe, Bass La Petite Bande, Sigiswald Kuijken Serse 3 CDs Carolyn Watkinson: Serse, mezzo-soprano, Paul Esswood: Arsamene, countertenor, Ortrun Wenkel: Amastre, contralto, Barbara Hendricks: Romilda, soprano, Anne-Marie Rodde: Atalanta, soprano, Ulrik Cold: Ariodate, bass & Ulrich Studer: Elviro, baritone La Grande Ecurie et la Chambre du Roy & Ensemble Vocal Jean Bridier, Jean-Claude Malgoire |
An attractively packaged 22 disc box set containing complete recordings of 8 of Handel’s great operas, including his first opera, Rinaldo, and some of his best-known operatic masterpieces such as Giulio Cesare, Tamerlano and Rodelinda. Features a wealth of internationally acclaimed artists, conductors and ensembles. Recordings are taken from the Sony Classical, RCA Red Seal and deutsche harmonia mundi labels. Released to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the composer’s death. Includes an extensive booklet containing excerpts from original manuscripts, synopses, extracts of texts printed with the original libretti. | | | Usually despatched in 3 - 4 working days. |
|
|
| |
|
Gramophone Awards 2001