Handel: Arias for Montagnana

On this CD:

1. Ezio, opera, HWV 29 Act I, No.6: Perche tanto tormento?
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by David Evan Thomas
Conducted by Nicholas McGegan

2. Ezio, opera, HWV 29 Act I, No.6: Se un bell'ardire
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by David Evan Thomas
Conducted by Nicholas McGegan

3. Ezio, opera, HWV 29 Act II, No.8: Folle e colui
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by David Evan Thomas
Conducted by Nicholas McGegan

4. Ezio, opera, HWV 29 Act II, No.8: Nasce al bosco
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by David Evan Thomas
Conducted by Nicholas McGegan

5. Ezio, opera, HWV 29 Act III, No.13: Che indegno!
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by David Evan Thomas
Conducted by Nicholas McGegan

6. Ezio, opera, HWV 29 Act III, No.13: Gia risonar
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by David Evan Thomas
Conducted by Nicholas McGegan

7. Sosarme, re di Media, opera, HWV 30 Act I, No.5: Addio principe scrupoloso
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by David Evan Thomas
Conducted by Nicholas McGegan

8. Sosarme, re di Media, opera, HWV 30 Act I, No.5: Fra l'ombre e gli orrori
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by David Evan Thomas
Conducted by Nicholas McGegan

9. Sosarme, re di Media, opera, HWV 30 Act II, No.7: Quanto piu Melo
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by David Evan Thomas
Conducted by Nicholas McGegan

10. Sosarme, re di Media, opera, HWV 30 Act II, No.7: Sento il cor
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by David Evan Thomas
Conducted by Nicholas McGegan

11. Sosarme, re di Media, opera, HWV 30 Act III, No.9: Tanto s'eseguira
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by David Evan Thomas
Conducted by Nicholas McGegan

12. Sosarme, re di Media, opera, HWV 30 Act III, No.9: Tiene Giove
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by David Evan Thomas
Conducted by Nicholas McGegan

13. Esther, oratorio, HWV 50b Act I, No.3: I'll hear No more
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by David Evan Thomas
Conducted by Nicholas McGegan

14. Esther, oratorio, HWV 50b Act I, No.3: Pluck root and branch
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by David Evan Thomas
Conducted by Nicholas McGegan

15. Esther, oratorio, HWV 50b Act II, No.6: Turn not O Queen
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by David Evan Thomas
Conducted by Nicholas McGegan

16. Esther, oratorio, HWV 50b Act III, No.6: How art thou fall'n
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by David Evan Thomas
Conducted by Nicholas McGegan

17. Acis and Galatea, oratorio, HWV 49 Part II: Avampo
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by David Evan Thomas
Conducted by Nicholas McGegan

18. Acis and Galatea, oratorio, HWV 49 Part II: Ferito son d'Amore
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by David Evan Thomas
Conducted by Nicholas McGegan

19. Tolomeo, rè d'Egitto, opera, HWV 25 Act II, No.7: Piangi pur
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by David Evan Thomas
Conducted by Nicholas McGegan

20. Orlando Paladino (Der Ritter Roland), opera, H. 28/11 Act I, No.2: Mira prendi l'essempio!
Composed by Franz Joseph Haydn
Performed by David Evan Thomas
Conducted by Nicholas McGegan

21. Orlando Paladino (Der Ritter Roland), opera, H. 28/11 Act I, No.2: Lascia Amor
Composed by Franz Joseph Haydn
Performed by David Evan Thomas
Conducted by Nicholas McGegan

22. Orlando Paladino (Der Ritter Roland), opera, H. 28/11 Act III, No.6: Impari ognun da Orlando
Composed by Franz Joseph Haydn
Performed by David Evan Thomas
Conducted by Nicholas McGegan

23. Orlando Paladino (Der Ritter Roland), opera, H. 28/11 Act III, No.6: O voi del mio poter
Composed by Franz Joseph Haydn
Performed by David Evan Thomas
Conducted by Nicholas McGegan

24. Orlando Paladino (Der Ritter Roland), opera, H. 28/11 Act III, No.6: Sorge infausta una procella
Composed by Franz Joseph Haydn
Performed by David Evan Thomas
Conducted by Nicholas McGegan

25. Deborah, oratorio, HWV 51 Act I, No.3: Barak my son
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by David Evan Thomas
Conducted by Nicholas McGegan

26. Deborah, oratorio, HWV 51 Act I, No.3: Awak the ardour
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by David Evan Thomas
Conducted by Nicholas McGegan

27. Deborah, oratorio, HWV 51 Act II, No.2: Thy ardours warm
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by David Evan Thomas
Conducted by Nicholas McGegan

28. Deborah, oratorio, HWV 51 Act II, No.2: Swift inundation
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by David Evan Thomas
Conducted by Nicholas McGegan

29. Deborah, oratorio, HWV 51 Act III, No.2: Tears such as tender fathers shed
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by David Evan Thomas
Conducted by Nicholas McGegan

30. Athalia, oratorio, HWV 52 Act I, No.1: Ah canst thou but prove me!
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by David Evan Thomas
Conducted by Nicholas McGegan

Handel: Arias for Montagnana, Music, George Frideric Handel, Nicholas McGegan, David Thomas, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, Choral, Classical, Classical Music, German/Austrian Classical Period Opera, Italian Baroque Opera, Opera, Oratorio
Handel: Arias for Montagnana
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Getting Excited About Baroque Opera
 Handel: Arias for Montagnana
George Frideric Handel , Nicholas McGegan , David Thomas , and Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra
Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000007CG
Release Date: 1995-12-15

Tracks:

  1. Arias for Montagnana: Se un bell'ardire
  2. Arias for Montagnana: Nasce al bosco
  3. Arias for Montagnana: Giisonar
  4. Arias for Montagnana: Fra l'ombre e gli orrori
  5. Arias for Montagnana: Sento il cor
  6. Arias for Montagnana: Tiene Giove
  7. Arias for Montagnana: Pluck root and branch
  8. Arias for Montagnana: Turn not, O Queen
  9. Arias for Montagnana: How art thou fall'n
  10. Arias for Montagnana: Ferito son d'Amore
  11. Arias for Montagnana: Piangi pur
  12. Arias for Montagnana: Lascia Amor
  13. Arias for Montagnana: Sorge infausta una procella
  14. Arias for Montagnana: Awake the ardour
  15. Arias for Montagnana: Swift inundation
  16. Arias for Montagnana: Tears, such as tender fathers shed
  17. Arias for Montagnana: Ah, canst thou but prove me!

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Getting Excited About Baroque Opera.......2006-06-17

George Frideric Handel (1685 – 1759), Arias for Montagnana. Performed by David Thomas, bass, and the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, San Francisco, conducted by Nicholas McGegan. Recorded in September, 1989, at Lucas Studios, San Rafael, California.
Harmonia Mundi USA HMU 907015 (and also available on HMX 2907171.74). Total time: 67’40”.

The story of Handel’s opera business in Georgian London is one of jealousy, intrigue, rivalry, factions and, occasionally, of singers coming to blows. No wonder, then, that the composer had, over the years, to replace singers who had left his troupe, often enough to join rival organizations. Italian bass Montagnana was with Handel from 1731 to 1733 and again, briefly, in 1737 – 1738. As with his other “stars”, Handel composed music specially for him, giving him roles which would best show off his abilities. These appear to have been considerable, with Handel not only writing new music but reviving arias from his Italian days with their incredible leaps and amazingly deep notes: “Fra l’ombre e gli orrori”, although here sung in the Montagnana version from the opera “Sosarme”, is better known as an aria of Polifemo from the cantata “Aci, Galatea e Polifemo” (1707). This is not the only instance of self-borrowing on this disc. The Italian version of “O ruddier than the cherry” from “Acis and Galatea” (1732 version) – presumably recomposed to avoid Montagnana having to sing in English with his heavy Italian accent – is, in fact, based on music by Keiser, as Andrew Porter is at pains to point out.

Opinions differ as to whether David Thomas is an ideal modern interpreter for these Da capo arias. Whereas Harmonia Mundi quote the late and highly respected Stanley Sadie of “Gramophone” magazine with high praise (“Thomas has a formidable range, a dazzling technique […] and a tone that is full and resonant yet always clearly defined”), others have been inclined to see Thomas’s timbre as problematical and to pour their praise instead (and with every justification) on the tremendous sound and playing of the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra. I suppose this is, like so much in music, a matter of taste – personally, I find David Thomas’s voice a little too throaty, in places almost sounding as though he could do with a throat lozenge and a week off work!

Having said that, however, this is still a highly entertaining disc. Thomas had recorded some of the arias here a few years earlier (with the Academy of Ancient Music, conducted by Christopher Hogwood, in “Esther” and “Orlando”). Others are new, and, as in the case of the excerpts from “Ezio”, “Tolomeo” and “Deborah”, rarely heard today. With the exception of a little obtrusive “pre-echoing” at one or two points, the recorded sound is magnificent (compliments to engineer Peter McGrath), enabling one to hear perfectly every modulation of Thomas’s voice, but also those glorious strings, trumpets and other period instruments played so beautifully by the Philharmonia Baroque. This is truly music that can get me excited about baroque opera!
Handel Arias for Cuzzoni, Durastanti, Senesino & Montagnana / Saffer · Hunt-Lieberson · Minter · Thomas · PBO · McGegan
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Do not miss it!
  • A must-have for Handelians
 Handel Arias for Cuzzoni, Durastanti, Senesino & Montagnana / Saffer · Hunt-Lieberson · Minter · Thomas · PBO · McGegan
George Frideric Handel , Nicolas McGegan , Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra , Lisa Saffer , Lorraine Hunt , Drew Minter , and David Thomas
Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000007HV
Release Date: 1996-07-10

Tracks:

  1. Arias For Cuzzoni: Spietati, io vi giurai (Rodelinda II, 3)
  2. Arias For Cuzzoni: Ombre, piante, urne funeste! (Rodelinda I, 7)
  3. Arias For Cuzzoni: Il volo cosi fido (Riccardo Primo III, 8)
  4. Arias For Cuzzoni: Accomp.: Che sento? - Aria: Se pieta (Guilio Cesare II, 8)
  5. Arias For Cuzzoni: Recit.: E pur cosi - Aria: Piangero (Guilio Cesare III, 3)
  6. Arias For Cuzzoni: Da tempeste il legno infranto (Guilio Cesare III, 6)
  7. Arias For Cuzzoni: Scoglio d'immota fronte (Scipione II, 8)
  8. Arias For Cuzzoni: Recit.: E tale Otton? - Aria: Falsa immagine (Ottone I, 3)
  9. Arias For Cuzzoni: Recit.: Guinge Otton? - Aria: Affanni del pensier (Ottone I, 10)
  10. Arias For Cuzzoni: Recit.: Serve Asteria - Aria: Se non mi vuol amar (Tamerlano I, 5)
  11. Arias For Cuzzoni: L'Amor che per te sento (Alessandro III, 4)
  12. Arias For Cuzzoni: Recit.: Chi mai l'intende - Aria: Amante stravagante (Flavio I, 13)

Tracks:

  1. Arias For Durastanti: Recit.: Favorevol la sorte - Aria: Ogni vento (Agrippina II, 20)
  2. Arias For Durastanti: Pensieri, voi mi tomentate (Agrippina II, 13)
  3. Arias For Durastanti: Ombra cara di mia sposa (Radamisto II, 2)
  4. Arias For Durastanti: Recit.: Oh Dio! parte Zenobia - Aria: Qual nave (Radamisto III, 1)
  5. Arias For Durastanti: Accopm.: Io d'altro regno - Aria: Dimmi, crudele Amore (Muzio Scevola III, 3)
  6. Arias For Durastanti: Recit.: Ben a raggion - Aria: Vieni, o figlio (Ottone II, 4)
  7. Arias For Durastanti: Recit.: Vani sono i lamenti - Aria: Svegliatevi nel core (Guilio Cesare I, 4))
  8. Arias For Durastanti: Cara speme (Guilio Cesare I, 8)
  9. Arias For Durastanti: Recit.: Figlio non e - Aria: L'angue offenso mai riposa (Guilio Cesare II, 6)
  10. Arias For Durastanti: L'aure che spira (Guilio Cesare II, 11)
  11. Arias For Durastanti: La giustizia (Guilio Cesare III, 5)
  12. Arias For Durastanti: Mirami altero in volto (Arianna I, 2)
  13. Arias For Durastanti: Qual leon (Arianna II, 6)

Tracks:

  1. Arias For Senesino: Va tacito (Guilio Cesare I, 9)
  2. Arias For Senesino: Non e si vago e bello (Guilio Cesare I, 7)
  3. Arias For Senesino: Vivi, tiranno (Rodelinda III, 4)
  4. Arias For Senesino: Recit.: Che piu si tarda omai - Accomp.: Inumano fratel - Aria: Stille amare (Tolomeo III, 6)
  5. Arias For Senesino: Recit.: Nube, che il Sole - Aria: Si fugge il duol (Riccardo Primo II, 7)
  6. Arias For Senesino: Agitato da fiere tempeste (Riccardo Primo I, 6)
  7. Arias For Senesino: Accomp.: Ah! stigie larve - Arioso: Gia latra Cerbero - Accomp.: Ma la furia - Aria: Vaghe pupille (Orlando II, 11)
  8. Arias For Senesino: Accomp.: Gia per la man - Arioso: Gia l'ebro mio ciglio (Orlando III, 8)
  9. Arias For Senesino: Recit.: T'ubbidiro, crudele - Aria: Fammi combattere (Orlando I, 9)
  10. Arias For Senesino: Recit.: E questa la Mercede - Aria: Cielo! (Orlando II, 3)
  11. Arias For Senesino: Amor, nel mio penar (Flavio III, 4)

Tracks:

  1. Arias For Montagnana: Recit.: Perche tanto tormento? - Aria: Se un bell'ardire (Ezio I, 6)
  2. Arias For Montagnana: Accomp.: Folle e colui - Aria: Nasce al bosco Ezio II, 8)
  3. Arias For Montagnana: Recit.: Che indegno! - Aria: Giisonar (Ezio III, 13)
  4. Arias For Montagnana: Recit.: Addio, principe scrupoloso - Aria: Fra l'ombre e gli orrori (Sosarme I, 5)
  5. Arias For Montagnana: Recit.: Quanto piu Melo - Aria: Sento il cor (Sosarme II, 7)
  6. Arias For Montagnana: Recit.: Tanto s'eseguira - Aria: Tiene Giove (Sosarme II, 9)
  7. Arias For Montagnana: Recit.: I'll Hear No More - Aria: Pluck Root And Branch (Esther I, 3)
  8. Arias For Montagnana: Turn Not, O Queen (Esther II, 6)
  9. Arias For Montagnana: How Art Thou Fall'n (Esther III, 6)
  10. Arias For Montagnana: Recit.: Avampo - Aria: Ferito son d'Amore (Acis & Galatea Second Part)
  11. Arias For Montagnana: Piangi pur (Tolomeo II, 7)
  12. Arias For Montagnana: Recit.: Mira, e prendi l'esempio - Aria: Lascia Amor (Orlando I, 2)
  13. Arias For Montagnana: Recit.: Impari ognun da Orlando - Accomp.: Accomp.: O voi del mio poter - Aria: Sorge infausta una procella (Orlando III, 6)
  14. Arias For Montagnana: Recit.: Barak, My Son - Aria: Awake The Ardour (Deborah I, 3)
  15. Arias For Montagnana: Recit.: Thy Ardours Warm - Aria: Swift Inundation (Deborah II, 2)
  16. Arias For Montagnana: Tears, Such As Tender Fathers Shed (Deborah III, 2)
  17. Arias For Montagnana: Ah, Canst Thou But Prove Me! (Athalia II, 1)

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Do not miss it!.......2004-12-20

As some really interesting McGegan recordings silently disappear, buy it NOW, without hesitation.

The concept is lavish. We see how Handel's pen was controlled by the artists' personality. David Thomas, e.g., flies down to the abyss opened by Handel's music to the possibly plutonian Montagnana -nobody, never could sing it better, "fly deeper". The ladies are lecherously "aviatic" to the opposite direction. Those who miss it miss a universe.

5 out of 5 stars A must-have for Handelians.......2004-08-04

This bargain-priced box set is a must-have for anyone who loves Handel's operas. Whilst Nicholas McGegan has had his critics over some of his Goettingen recordings, it cannot be denied that he has rescued some of Handel's finest arias and operas from the dustbin of History. And here (87 arias later), he has a fine cast of singers all re-living the repertoire of some of the best singers of the 18th century - Lisa Saffer sings arias by Cuzzoni, Drew Minter arias by Senesino, David Thomas arias for Montagnana, and Lorraine Hunt Lieberson arias by Durastanti.

The excellent Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra provide superb accompaniment for each singer, and the sound quality is very good across all four discs. The whole comes with a very informative and exhaustive booklet containing introductory essays for each singer, as well as full libretti.

Highlights include Lisa Saffer's ravishing account of Falsa Imagine (Ottone) which Cuzzoni allegedly refused to sing as it was too plain - until Handel threatened to throw her out of the window..! Lorraine Hunt's re-enaction of Durastanti's Sesto role from Giulio Cesare sees a committed 'L'angue offenso mai riposa'. Drew Minter's coppery and languid countertenor gives delight in little-known arias from Riccardo Primo (Agitato da fiere tempeste) and Tolomeo (Stille Amare). Whilst David Thomas' cavernous bass voice ranges across opera and oratorio roles for Montagnana.

In all this is a superb collection that illustrates what a genius Handel was at characterisation and word-painting. No Handel lover will want to miss it.

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