Messiah Arias & Choruses

Track Listings

1. Messiah No. 2: Comfort Ye My People - Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Keith Lewis

2. Messiah No. 3: Every Valley Shall Be Exalted - Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Keith Lewis

3. Messiah No. 4: And the Glory of the Lord

4. Messiah No. 11: For Unto Us a Child Is Born

5. Messiah No. 14: And Suddenly There Was With the Angel/Messiah No. 15: G

6. Messiah No. 16: Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion - Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa

7. Messiah No. 17: He Shall Feed His Flock - Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa

8. Messiah No. 19: Behold the Lamb of God

9. Messiah No. 30: Lift Up Your Heads

10. Messiah No. 34a: How Beautiful Are the Feet - Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Chorus,

11. Messiah No. 36: Why Do the Nations So Furiously Rag Together?/Messiah N

12. Messiah No. 39: Hallelujah

13. Messiah No. 40: I Know That Redeemer Liveth - Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Chorus,

14. Messiah No. 42: Behold, I Tell You a Mystery/Messiah No. 43: The Trumpe - Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Gwynne Howell

15. Messiah No. 47: Worthy Is the Lamb - Amen

Tracks:

(Clori: Part I): Va col canto
(Clori: Part II): Barbaro!
(Clori: Part II): Amo Tirsi
(Theodora: Act I, 5): Angels, Ever Bright And Fair
(Theodora: Act II, 2): With Darkness, Deep
(Theodora: Act II, 2): Oh! That I On Wings Could Rise
(Ottone: Act II, 4): Vieni, o figlio
(Arianna: Act I, 2): Mirami altero in volto
(Susanna: Part I, 2): Bending To The Throne
(Susanna: Part III, 2): Guilt Trembling Spoke My Doom
(Messiah: Part III, 2): He Was Despised
(Radamisto: Act III, 7): Qual nave
(Agrippina: Act II, 20): Ogni vento

Customer Reviews:

When she sang...people would forget all that is conventional in opera.......2007-01-11

With Lorraine Hunt you can't go wrong. Her appeal is universal: those who don't fancy opera will love it because of her virtuoso capability, originality and sincerity. Laurent Naouri expressed the core of her appeal: "When she sang her character, people would forget all that is conventional in opera. People would forget even her singing; they would just feel something so deep and true." Bravo, Lorraine, you set a standard for all time.

absolutely Beautiful.......2007-01-10

She really left a wonderful gift in this cd. I wish I could have appreciated her voice before she died so as to have seen her in concert. What a voice she had!

A glorious voice to remember.......2006-10-29

If you love the voice of Janet Baker or Kathleen Ferrier, you will love this collection. Miss Hunt is the peer of any mezzo soprano I have ever heard, bar none. Her voice is pure and rich, her musicality is flawless, her total effect awe inspiring. If you have never heard Lorraine before, this is a great place to start. You won't be sorry!

An Ode to Beauty and Artistry (Lorraine Hunt-Lieberson, 1954-2006).......2006-07-06

I've been meaning to review this album for the longest time, but haven't because of my committments at work and other things. Lieberson's voice, in my opinion, is one of the most beautiful instruments of our generation. It is, unlike a certain Renaaay who tries to sing anything and everything as a huge, incoherent slur, a very beautifully and artistically sung Handel recital. The tone is simply magnificent! And no other Handelian artist has connected her singing of the role with a dramatic sense that is so acute as her performances of the role.

It is really sad to know that this great artist died of breast cancer two days ago in her home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It was a big loss for the operatic world to lose such a beautiful instrument at such a young age. Lorraine Hunt-Lieberson will be missed.

subtle beauty.......2005-11-14

I have had this CD for several years now, and also all of the CDs from which these arias are drawn. What a great album; I would not be without it. Ms. Hunt (now Hunt Lieberson) has the voice, phrasing, discipline...the inner understanding of this music. She's "connected" on almost every piece here. 'Angels Bright and Fair' is a particular standout in my view; but almost certainly, if you are a lover of Handel's music, you will find something special here. Her soprano to mezzo soprano on this CD was a subtle and extraordinary voice for performing these pieces.

Bejun Mehta - Songs and arias of Handel, Schubert, Brahms, Britten

Average customer rating:

One of the greatest treasures
The perfect voice
Wow - the range of this young man's voice!

Bejun Mehta - Songs and arias of Handel, Schubert, Brahms, Britten
George Frideric Handel , Franz Schubert , Johannes Brahms , Benjamin Britten , Bejun Mehta , David Shifrin , Carol Rosenberger , and Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Principas
Manufacturer: Delos Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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The God Delusion

ASIN: B0000006VF
Release Date: 1992-12-11

Tracks:

If God Be For Us
Where'er You Walk
So Shall The Lute And Harp Awake
What Though I Trace
How Beautiful Are The Feet
With Thee, The Unsheltered Moor I'd Tread
The Shepherd On The Rock - Schubert
Ladybug
My Sweetheart Has Rosy Lips
Down Deep In The Valley
A Tree Is Standing
The Last Rose Of Summer

Customer Reviews:

One of the greatest treasures.......2003-06-02

Fresh and supple voice, amazing breath control, incredible expressions, mature musicality. I have listened to some of the songs sung by real sopranos (meaning mature female), and I admit that they do have their own greatness, but this boy soprano seems to be far more exciting. He's got unbeatable, invincible energy and drive, which, I guess, only teenagers can possess, and the way he builds up the intensity is awe-striking.
He has a total control over the high notes also. You will hear the most beautiful pianissimo, soft, expressive, and floaty, in those otherwise ear-spliting pitches. His runs are also incomparable, very clear, driven, profound, and accurate. You will have to hear them at least once in your life time!

I have let my two teenage nephews, who knew nothing but rock music, listen to this CD, and lo and behold, they couldn't stop listening to it. We were on a trip to Yellow Stone at that time, a long boring drive, and they kept on asking me to play it over and over. We ended up listening to it several hours straight every day for 3 days! A different kind of excitement from rock music, every time the fast runs came, they couldn't stop dancing in the car mimicking them. The whole CD made them simply happy and jubilant. As a result, the otherwise boring long drive became a very happy, fun trip.

The only drawback is that his words are not very clear, and at times the accent is poor. But his musicality and mature expressions off-set it. Even if you don't understand the words, these songs will surely make your day. This is one of those CDs that proves that classical music can be much more exciting and fun than popular music. Good for kids, teenagers, and adults.

The perfect voice.......2002-12-02

Mr. Mehta is a countertenor now. When he was a boy soprano his voice was incomparable, in my view, one which answers to the myth of a Castrato's voice. Such gentle and even register throughout the range which surely arouses the jealousy of any soprano.

Mr. Mehta demonstrated sophisticated and precoscious techniques which made his gifted timbre even more unparalleled. His diction is not quite crisp. My conjecture that it's due to his nasal technique, not unfamiliar to a countertenor, the unique head voice suited to a boy's changing voice. Maybe, also because of this, the color of Mr. Mehta's voice on this CD is especially touching - woeful but never strident nor forced in high notes. The aria "If God Be for Us" is most sentimental and brings an aetheist to tears!

Wow - the range of this young man's voice!.......2000-04-18

I've listened to this marvel repeatedly and found a great satisfaction in the choice of music and personal stylistic of these pieces. I hope there are more young men inspired to give their voices a try as a result of Bejun's work here...I especially enjoyed the spiritual selctions, esp. "If God be for us..." Please don't cheat yourself of the opportunity to hear this!

Average customer rating:

Highlights from stately classic version of Messiah
Good performances, mediocre sound quality
A signature Christmas album (at least for me)

Handel: Messiah - Arias & Choruses

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
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Handel: Messiah

ASIN: B00004Z1BB
Release Date: 2001-03-27

Tracks:

No. 2 Recitative: Comfort Ye, Comfort Ye My People - Kenneth McKellar
No. 3 Aria: Every Valley Shall Be Exalted - Kenneth McKellar
No. 4: And The Glory Of The Lord - London Symphony Orchestra And Chorus
No. 8 Recitative: Behold, A Virgin Shall Conceive; No. 9 Aria: O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings To Zion - Grace Bumbry
No. 12: For Unto Us A Child Is Born - London Symphony Orchestra And Chorus
No. 16: Recitative: And Suddenly There Was With The Angel; No. 17: Glort To God In The Highest - Joan Sutherland
No. 18 Aria: Rejoice Greatly, O Duaghter Of Zion - Joan Sutherland
No 40 Aria: Why Do The Nations So Furiously Rage Together? - David Ward
No. 41: Let Us Break Their Bonds Asunder - London Symphony Orchestra And Chorus
No. 44: Hallelujah! - London Symphony Orchestra And Chorus
No. 45 Aria: I Know That My Redeemer Liveth - Joan Sutherland
No. 47 Recitative: Behold I Tell You A Mystery; No. 48 Aria: The Trumpet Shall Sound - David Ward
No. 53: Worthy Is The Lamb - Amen - London Symphony Orchestra And Chorus

Customer Reviews:

Highlights from stately classic version of Messiah.......2005-12-11

This recording by Sir Adrian Boult and the London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus dates from the early 1960s, and seems now very much an old-school rendering of Handel's beloved masterpiece. As such it still has its pleasures, among them the skilled singing of the chorus and two major stars, Joan Sutherland and Grace Bumbry, in their youthful primes. Though there are no "added accompaniments" of the kind that used to be routine and unwelcome additions to Handel's original, lean orchestration, modern connoisseurs of Baroque music may find the choruses, particularly the famous "Hallelujah," and final "Amen," altogether too leaden in pacing and glutinous in texture. In general the performance practice is restrained, with barely an ornamented da capo to be found, and even essential vocal appoggiaturas omitted. The selection of numbers on this highlights disc is not particularly satisfying; an apparent desire to give all soloists and chorus more or less equal time results in some jarring skips in continuity and unfathomable omissions, as well as equally strange inclusions. I would have opted for hearing the chorus "Lift up your heads, O ye gates" over a complete, nine-minute "Trumpet Shall Sound," for example, since there is not one ornament in the da capo and bass David Ward is taxed by the high tessitura. Nevertheless, the overall authority of Boult's interpretation makes this venerable Messiah still worth a listen, especially at this bargain price.

Good performances, mediocre sound quality.......2004-11-29

The remastering of this CD was not top notch. The sound quality is far inferior to my DDD from Hyperion starring Lynn Dawson,Katherine James et al.
But I'm still looking for the perfect Messiah recording.

A signature Christmas album (at least for me).......2002-12-24

I remember this playing in the background in the house back when I was a kid. It defined Christmas for me. I've heard several versions of "The Messiah" but this one, from the London Symphony Orchestra, is the most full and robust. There seems to be no rival, in my opinion. I highly recommend this for new families. Whether you're religious or not and celebrate Christmas/the year-end holidays as a religious event or a simple but important time for a family get-together, either the lyrics and/or the sound of the music will stay with you for many Christmases to come. The stand out song is Hallelujah. Though, I'm not a complete aficionado of classical music (especially of the religious kind), this must be one of Sir Adrian Boult's finest. But I'm speaking from the LP and tape versions. I can only imagine the sound from the CD version. I highly recommend this recording.

UPDATE: Yup, this is the tape I remember. Down to the quality. I dunno about anybody else, but that's part of the charm for me. It reminds me of the tape and that reminds me of Christmases past. I love it.

Average customer rating:

Battle's wonderful voice is perfect for Handel's Arias
Delectable!

Handel: Arias

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Opera Arias

ASIN: B000002RPV
Release Date: 1991-10-25

Tracks:

Acis And Galatea: Oh, Didst Thou Know...As When The Dove (Galatea
Giulio Cesare: E Pur Cosi In Un Giorno...Piangero La Sorte Mia (Cleopatra)
Joshua: Oh! Had I Jubal's Lyre (Achsas)
L'Allegro, Il Penseroso Ed Il Moderato: Sweet Bird (Penseroso)
Messiah: Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter Of Zion!
Solomon: Ev're Sight These Eyes Behold (Queen Of Sheba)
Solomon: May Peace In Salem...Will The Sun Forget To Streak (Queen Of Sheba)
Alcina: Ah! Mio Cor! (Alcina)
Alcina: Tornami A Vagheggiar (Morgana)

Customer Reviews:

Battle's wonderful voice is perfect for Handel's Arias.......2005-11-14

This is a wonderful CD. Kathleen Battle's voice is so amazingly sweet, never harsh, always bird-like, flute-like, and sublime in its beauty.

"Oh, didst thou know ...As when the dove" from Acis and Galatea is wonderful in its simplicity of lyric and complexity of voice. Battle's enuciation is wonderful, a soprano that you can actually understand.

"E pur cosi in un giorno...Piangero la sorte mia" from Giulio Caesar is a great treat with Battle singing this wonderful aria as sung by the character Cleopatra.

"Oh! had I Jubal's lyre" is based on the Biblical story of Joshua. Battle's voice rejoices as she sings the part of Achsas in love with the character Othniel.

"L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato", like many of the works on this CD, has illusions to some bird like animal. In this piece Paul Davies plays the flute and establishes the "Sweet Bird" to which Battle replies. It is based on the poems of Milton. The soprano sections mimic and compliment and reflect on the flute which first leads and then follows the sorprano. The flute plays the role of the nightingale and Battle does a wonderful job of immitating the bird.

"Rejoice Greatly" from Handel's Messiah is superb. You have heard it many times, but Battle's version is so CLEAR.

"Every sight these eyes behold" and "May peace in Salem...Will the sun forget to streak" are both from Solomon and Battle sings the role of the Queen of Sheba. The violins are perfect compliments to Battle in these pieces, with a wonderful summary by the violins at the end of "May peace...".

From the opera Alcina she sings "Ah! mio cor!" and "Tornami a vagheggiar".

You will never tire of this CD, with Battle's great voice and Handel's beautiful compositional complexity, it is just great.

Delectable!.......2001-07-16

Interesting selection of Handel arias beautifully performed and recorded. Marriner and the Academy are at their best, and Kathleen Battle's golden voice caresses the music with often ravishing effect. Her interpretations are passionate but tasteful, and her occasional tendency to sound little-girlish is at a minimum. Flawless coloratura!

Tracks:

"Destructive War" (Belshazzar)
" O Sacred Oracles Of Truth" (Belshazzar)
"Despair No More Shall Wound Me" (Semele)
"Your Tuneful Voice" (Semele)
" The Raptured Soul" (Theodora)
"Deeds Of Kindness" (Theodora)
" Kind Heaven" (Theodora)
"Sweet Rose And Lily" (Theodora)
"Brave Jonathan" (Saul)
"O Lord, Whose Mercies Numberless" (Saul)
"Up The Dreadful Steep Steps Ascending" (Jephtha)
"Dull Delay" (Jephtha)
"He Was Despised" (Messiah)

Amazon.com

This is a splendid recording. The music is beautiful, though of the 13 arias, only the one from Messiah is well-known. The rest come from relatively obscure oratorios (or operas--the distinction is often blurred). Artfully arranged for maximum diversity of tempo, length, tonality, mood, and character, they add up to a consistently engrossing program. The performances could hardly be better. David Daniels is an extraordinary artist. His voice, effortlessly produced and impeccably focused, has an incredibly pure, even quality over an enormous range. He can give it an infinite variety of nuance, inflection, and expression, from exquisite sweetness in the lyrical arias to assertiveness and defiance in the dramatic ones; it even matches the color of the instruments in answering phrases. His coloratura, delivered in smooth legato but clear and flawless like a string of pearls, is stunning. He gives every note vibrant life and brings out the character of each aria without fuss or exaggeration. In the da capo arias, he embellishes the repeats with imaginative but never excessive ornamentation that sounds genuinely improvised. The period orchestra is excellent. Using normal tuning but baroque style, the players can step forward as soloists or set and underline mood and atmosphere. Listeners will choose their own favorite gems from this treasure-trove, but listening to the concluding aria, "He was despised," one understands why Messiah is Handel's most enduringly popular oratorio. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2006-10-07

Handel's oratorio style was the product of many mingled elements. Germany, Italy and England all had a hand in its formation. But the work that Handel did in the development of the oratorio alone gives him the right to rank among the greatest of those to whom we owe the modern forms of music. David Daniels to my mind has chosen six of the greatest of Handel's oratorios. 'Belshazzar' was written to a text based on the book of Daniel, by the rich and eccentric land-owner Charles Jennens with whom he collaborated many times. 'O Sacred Oracle of Truth' is sung by the imprisoned prophet Daniel, while 'Destructive War' is sung by the haughty and magnamimous Cyrus, King of Persia, who frees the Hebrews from their slavery under the Babylonian king Belshazzar."Semele" is a secular story taken from Greek mythology put into verse by William Congreve. Jupiter lusts after a mortal woman snatching her from her family in the form of an eagle. The young woman, Semele,arouses the jealous anger of Juno, who takes her revenge. As a result of a plot that the goddess hatches,Semele is destroyed by fire. The 2 arias heard here are for Athamas who is betrothed to Semele. He finally gains consolation by marrying Semele's sister. The heroine of 'Theodora' is a Christian martyr whose life is recounted by St. Ambrose in his 'De virginibus of AD377. When Theodora is punished for refusing to worship the Roman gods, Didymus(a Roman soldier who has secretly converted to Christianity) rescues her from imprisonment; is then condemned to death, Theodora joins him in martyrdom. The oratorio 'Saul' centres on the celebrated trio of Saul,David and Jonathan. Based on the first book of Samuel, it dealt with a familiar story to most of the public at that time. 'Brave Jonathan' and 'O Lord, whose mercies Numberless' are both sung by David being pursued by a jealous Saul, but is sustained by the staunch friendship of Jonathan. 'Jeptha' is based on Chapter 11 of the book of Judges. The theme; Jeptha's promise to sacrifice to God ,in exchange for a victory over the enemy ,the first person to come out of his house to greet him after the battle; and it is his daughter Iphis. But what the Christian God really demands is that his daughter consecrate herself to Him and thus retain her virginity. And Hamor (countertenor) although very unhappy indeed sighs for her 'Up the Dreadful Steep Ascending' and 'Dull Delay'. The libretto of the "Messiah" is based on extracts from the Bible and The Book of Common Prayer, arranged by Charles Jennens. Unlike the other oratorios,it does not tell a story. 'He Was Despised' invites the listener to meditate on the horrendous suffering imposed by mankind on Jesus before his crucifixion.

Handling Handel With Unparalleled Skill and Power.......2004-08-08

If you need evidence on why David Daniels has been rising so fast as the leading countertenor voice today, you need only listen to this wonderfully recorded disc of Handel's oratorio arias, which captures him at full vocal power with amazing coloratura. Although the countertenor voice is generally described as androgynous and often effeminate because of the high range, Daniels has an intensely passionate style that actually sounds warmer and more masculine than one would think possible for such a voice type. Consequently, he is playing a pivotal role in broadening the audience significantly for not only countertenors but also Handel's wondrous music.

Daniels' first solo recording for Virgin Classics in 1998 (strongly recommended) focused on Handel's Italian operas, while this one focuses on his English oratorios composed specifically for the concert stage. Except for the language difference, the distinction is not all that meaningful since both fully use Daniels' amazing interpretative powers to their maximum. On "The raptured soul" from "Theodora", for example, it's amazing how through his sheer virtuosity and deeply textured tessitura, he can make the repetition of six simple lines sound so compelling over an air that lasts nearly nine minutes. Speaking of which, it's quite satisfying to have four airs from "Theodora" recorded here for posterity, as an aural reminder of his stunning performance as Didymus in Peter Sellars' legendary 1996 Glyndebourne staging of this oratorio (now available on DVD and also strongly recommended).

Starting with a scale-swooping "Destructive war" from "Belshazzar", the entire program is mesmerizing with special mention going to "O Lord, whose mercies numberless" from "Saul" and "He was despised" from "Messiah". Conductor John Nelson and the Ensemble Orchestral de Paris accompany Daniels beautifully and unobtrusively with modern (versus period) instruments, a smart decision giving the pieces a more contemporary feel. The end result is a recital to play again and again...at least until you have the opportunity to hear him live.

Very beautifully intoned.......2004-04-04

I was greatly impressed with this CD. I have always appreciated Daniel's voice over most other countertenors (and there are many wonderful ones that are simply incredible), and mostly for its warmth and lack of "hootiness." The coloratura is well executed, and his legato line is breathtaking. Then why a four star rating? All of these arias are sung in English, and it seems these days NO ONE, not male, female, soprano, alto, countertenor, seem to know how to sing it so you can understand a word. That is why I say this recording is beautifully intoned, for it is beautifully sung. What is missing is actual communication of something, no meaning exists behind the non-existent words. It would have been so much more meaningful if we could have figured out what he was telling us. I have old recordings of Dame Clara Butt, a huge voiced contralto of the past century. She sings much of this type of music, and in spite of the horrible quality of the recordings, her words come blazing forth effortless to understand. Even Ernestine Schumann-Heink sings credibly in English giving meaning to the words. Singing is WORDS, not just music. Sadly, we are all forgetting this now days, and most of our well known singers are simply horrible when it comes to singing in English (I have bought many Chaldas recording of opera in English, well they may as well have sung in the original language for we at least can figure out the words when singers sing thusly). Countertenors have the world's worst pronunciation of their words out there, but Daniels is usually much better because of the darker quality of his voice. This time, however, I have to say, I was not impressed. The voice is beautiful, the singing ravishing, but there is no meaning because the words are not clear.

Handel: Oratorio Arias.......2003-08-08

In this beautiful collection of music, one would be, as usual, hardpressed to find some aspect about which to complain in the beautiful, mellifluous tones of David Daniels. That is not the reason for this brief review. I am, on the other hand, dissatisfied with the choice of using the Ensemble Orchestral de Paris as the accompaniment. With many fine baroque ensembles out there from which to choose and enhance--including ones utilized in previous recordings--it seems a shame to pick such an average group, who saw away with very little phrasing or soul. Leave it to the French to abandon all traces of soulfulness--even in their music.

A beautiful recital.......2002-09-23

For once, I'll be brief. Beautiful singing and playing. Daniels performance of "Oh, Lord whose mercies numberless" is alone worth the price of the CD. Mr. Daniels is a consummate musician and this release further gives proof of that. Lovers of Handel and baroque music in general and English oratorios in particular will be more than delighted with this CD. Sit back and enjoy.

Average customer rating:

Baird is Tops

Glorious Handel Soprano Arias

Manufacturer: Newport Classic
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Handel: Arias and dances: Excerpts From Agrippina and Alcina
Sandrine Piau - Handel Opera Seria
Lorraine Hunt Lieberson: Handel Arias
Lorraine Hunt - Handel Arias

ASIN: B00000K0S4
Release Date: 1999-08-17

Tracks:

Faramondo: Se ben mi lusinga
Faramondo: Virtu che rende
Acis & Galatea: Shepherd, What Art Thou Pursuing
Joshua: Oh, Who Can Tell?
Siroe: Vedesti mai sul prato
Berenice: No, che servire altrui
Berenice: Traditore
Semele: Where're You Walk
Mi Palpita Il Cor: Ho tanti affanni in petto
Messiah: How Beautiful Are The Feet Of Them
Messiah: He That Dwelleth...Thou Shalt Break Them
Alexander Balus: O Take Me
Alexander Balus: Calm Thou...Convey Me

Customer Reviews:

Baird is Tops.......2002-01-16

I don't know just how many of these wonderful performances by the Handelian soprano have been extracted from actual full CD recordings, but clearly some are unique to this album and if one likes Baird as much as I do, who cares!!
The Faramondo arias here are for the title character and on the complete recording (also with fine conductor Rudolph Palmer) she sings the soprano lead, not the castrato assignment--so this is a first, I believe.
The cover art is a little misleading--nothing the wonderful artist gives us here exactly fits the Marilyn Monroe look, but her singing is entirely glamorous, so--again--whatever it takes to induce a listener to buy this...whatever! The singer is at once clean of sound and diction, exact with ornamentation and yet passionate as well in her involvement with the music. An American treasure. Kudos also to the conductor for the lively and sympathetic accompaniments. Bravo to all, in fact.

Average customer rating:

A fine edition of 'Messiah'
Another hit for Solti!

Messiah Arias & Choruses

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Te Kanawa, Kiri | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

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Messiah
Casino Royale (Two-Disc Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B0000041X1
Release Date: 1991-09-13

Tracks:

Messiah No. 2: Comfort Ye My People - Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Keith Lewis
Messiah No. 3: Every Valley Shall Be Exalted - Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Keith Lewis
Messiah No. 4: And the Glory of the Lord
Messiah No. 11: For Unto Us a Child Is Born
Messiah No. 14: And Suddenly There Was With the Angel/Messiah No. ...
Messiah No. 16: Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion - Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa
Messiah No. 17: He Shall Feed His Flock - Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa
Messiah No. 19: Behold the Lamb of God
Messiah No. 30: Lift Up Your Heads
Messiah No. 34a: How Beautiful Are the Feet - Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Chorus,
Messiah No. 36: Why Do the Nations So Furiously Rag ...
Messiah No. 39: Hallelujah
Messiah No. 40: I Know That Redeemer Liveth - Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Chorus,
Messiah No. 42: Behold, I Tell You a Mystery/Messiah No. 43: The ... - Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Gwynne Howell
Messiah No. 47: Worthy Is the Lamb - Amen

Customer Reviews:

A fine edition of 'Messiah'.......2007-07-11

Previously we had Robert Shaw's rendition of 'Messiah.' When we made the transition to CDs away from vinyl, I looked for Shaw, but found this instead. I am very pleased with it and recommend it.

Another hit for Solti!.......1999-05-20

Solti understands how Handel loved opera. This performance is dramatic and lyric with all the full sound of the modern orchestra. The soloists excel and the CSO chorus can't be matched. A must even for those who have a Messiah or two.

Arleen Auger - Handel · Bach Arias / The Mostly Mozart Orchestra · Gerard Schwarz

Average customer rating:

Transcendent
Glorious Voice Performing Baroque Arias of Handel and Bach

Arleen Auger - Handel · Bach Arias / The Mostly Mozart Orchestra · Gerard Schwarz
George Frideric Handel , Johann Sebastian Bach , Gerard Schwarz , Arleen Auger , and The Mostly Mozart Orchestra
Manufacturer: Delos Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Passions | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0000006VM
Release Date: 1992-12-11

Tracks:

Messiah: Rejoice Greatly
Giulio Cesare: Piangero
Atalanta: Care Selve
Alexander's Feast: The Prince, Unable To Conceal His Pain
Alexander's Feast: Softly Sweet In Lydian Measures
Rinaldo: Lascia ch'io pianga
Samson: Let The Bright Seraphim
Messiah: He Shall Feed His Flock
Non sa che sia dolore: Ricetti Gramezza
Klavierbuchlein fur Anna Magdalena Bach: Bist du bei mir
Weichet nur, betrubte Schatten
Weichet nur, betrubte Schatten: Sich uben im lieben
St. Matthew Passion: Blute nur
St. Matthew Passion: Ich will dir mein Herze schenken

Customer Reviews:

Transcendent.......2002-05-15

This is some of the most beautiful singing I have heard anywhere. Auger fuses technique, emotion, and baroque sensibility into a phenomental whole.

In particular, listen to "Come Unto Him" from Messiah. I have more than 30 complete Messiahs and this section is the best of the best of the best. Her original ornamentation is so transcendant, it's hard to imagine why anyone does it any other way.

My only regret is that she didn't record "Redeemer" on this disc.

Glorious Voice Performing Baroque Arias of Handel and Bach.......2000-01-21

This is one of the first recordings of Auger and Gerard Schwarz together...and it remains one of my all-time favorites. Auger is in fine voice...bright and luminous, but never shrill and piercing as some other noted sopranos have been in this same reperitoire.

Auger is an American artist who is first class, especially in perforamnce of the pieces contained in this recording. Gerard Schwatz is dynamic and bold in his approach, so the result is electric.

Auger displays beautiful technique throughout, especially in the Handel arias. Her stylish ornamentation is well within Baroque practice. This being said, the listener / purchaser of this recording is in for a real treat....

Augers singing of PIANGERO from Julius Caesar is perfaps the finest I have ever heard, and the simplicity and beauty of CARE SELVE is breathtaking. The selections from Messiah are handeled beautifully as well, along with selections from Alexanders Feast, Rinaldo and Samson.

I think her reading of the Handel is stronger than her interpretation of the Bach selections, however, even keen listeners will readily agrre that these too are performances of an extremely high character.

Tracks:

I Feel, I Feel The Deity Within
Judas Maccabaeus HWV 63: Arm, Arm Ye Brave!
Dettingen Te Deum HWV 283: Vouchsafe, O Lord
Samson HWV 57: Honour And Arms Scorn Such A Foe
Berenice HWV 38: Si, tra i ceppi e le ritorte
Alcina HWV 34: Verdi prati, selve amene
O voi, del mio poter
Orlando HWV 31: Sorge infausta una procella
I Rage, I Melt, I Burn!
Acis And Galatea HWV 49: O Ruddier Than The Cherry
Semele HWV 58: Where'er You Walk
Alexander's Feast HWV 75: Revenge, Revenge, Timotheus Cries - Behold A Ghastly Band
Giulio Cesare HWV 17: Va tacito e nascosto
Frondi tenere e belle
Serse HWV 40: Ombra mai fu
Thus Saith The Lord Of Hosts
Messiah HWV 56: But Who May Abide The Day Of His Coming
Messiah HWV 56: Why Do The Nations
Behold, I Tell You A Mystery
Messiah HWV 56: The Trumpet Shall Sound

Amazon.com essential recording

Bryn Terfel has it all. His rich, deep baritone voice is capable of navigating the rapids and doing the vocal leaps and cartwheels that Handel routinely demands of his singers, even the ones with big, deep voices that usually move more slowly. He is Welsh, and in his mastery of words--clarity of projection and precise emotional expression--he calls to mind another great Welsh performer, Richard Burton. This recital, accompanied by Sir Charles Mackerras with skill and sensitivity, runs the whole gamut of Handel's vocal styles, from military bluster (powerfully present in the first aria, "Arm, arm, ye brave") to humble piety (in the second selection, "Vouchsafe, O Lord"). There is erotic awe in "Where'er you walk," comic grotesquerie in "O ruddier than the cherry," and pure splendor in "The trumpet shall sound." A marvelous recital. --Joe McLellan

Customer Reviews:

Great fun and a tour de force for Bryn Terfel.......2005-09-18

Bryn Terfel's flexible, powerful, and velvety (give me a better adjective for this) voice is well suited to navigating the variety of bombastic and melodramatic arias characterizing Handel's various offerings. These are well punctuated by more tender passages which the composer was equally adept at producing. All in all a most satisfying recording that I seem never to tire of hearing.

Outstanding variety of Baritone Repertoire.......2004-02-19

Bryn Terfel offers an engaging sound, and a very historically accurate performance of the works, other than the arias that were originally written for counter tenors. For all Baritones and Basses, and those studying and teaching the repertoire, this is a must have CD, as it employs an outstanding combination of the finest arias and the most often performed.

"I rage, I rage, I melt, I burn!".......2003-11-06

This CD showcases popular Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel raging, melting, and burning his way through a wonderful variety of Handel arias (although I would have left out the 'Messiah' selections and gone for a few of Handel's 2,000 or so less-recorded songs).

According to Gerald Abraham in "Handel, a Symposium" the heroes that Terfel chose to bring to life in this recording generally had high soprano voices. Tenors and baritones were relegated to subordinate parts, and basses to those of tyrants or sages: "... in modern revivals of Handel's operas it is generally fatal to give [the castrato] parts to tenors or baritones to sing an octave lower."

In the first selection, Terfel takes on the role of Simon, brother of Judas Maccabaeus, which was originally a bass role. Critic Abraham could not object to this, although he might have a problem with the transposition of the arias for Demetrius ("Berenice, Queen of Egypt"), Caesar ("Julius Caesar in Egypt"), and Xerxes ("Xerxes"). If you are a purist, this CD might not be for you, but you'll miss out on some grand singing.

I'm especially fond of Terfel's handling of the slow, reflective arias "Verdi prati, selve amene" from 'Alcina,' and "Ombra mai fu" from 'Xerxes' (often called "Handel's Largo" despite the composer's "larghetto" marking). Here, the singer shuns lachrymose emoting. It is the purity of his tone and choice of dynamics that touch the heart.

"O ruddier than the cherry" from "Acis and Galatea" is robustly sung by the love-sick Polyphemus/Terfel. In spite of the buoyant central rhythm, every word is clearly enunciated. The preceding, accompanied recitative "I rage, I rage, I melt, I burn!" is a masterful, shimmering growl of emotion.

Along with Xerxes's plane tree and Polyphemus's cherries, Terfel returns to an arboreal subject in "Where'er you walk" from Semele. His command of musical and textual nuance is impressive in this tenderly sung aria. The ornamentation by Sir Charles Mackerras enhances rather than detracts from this beautiful love song.

Another highlight of this CD is Terfel's interpretation of "Revenge, revenge, Timotheus cries" from "Alexander's Feast." He snarls through the trumpets with frenzied, dead-on ornamentation. However there are a few unusual hesitations, such as a slight pause between 'Timotheus' and 'cries,' and at first hearing, I didn't care for them. Now they make textual sense to me. His hissing snakes and sparkling eyes are flawlessly emphasized. Each melisma is rhythmically unique and perfectly inflected.

The last three selections from Handel's "Messiah" are unfortunately rather ordinary. "Why do the nations" has a strange repeat, and Terfel seems to be singing it up into his mask which makes it sound two-dimensional. There is also a little too much flattening or 'whitening' of the melismas, plus an occasional unattractive growl. I much prefer Samuel Ramey's deep, seamless coloratura in these three bass arias.

Perhaps Handel's "Messiah" is one of those works that truly separates the bass-baritones from the basses.

Other than the above complaint, Bryn Terfel pays grand homage to the dramatic tension, the text, and the musicality of Handel's arias.

Gran trabajo Bryn!.......2003-10-05

BRYN TERFEL exhibe en estas paginas bellisimas de operas y oratorios de Haendel una voz bellisima, aunque algo basta a veces, y algo inexacta de coloratura. No obstante, el gusto conque canta las partes es mas que suficiente pretexto para tener el disco. CHARLES MACKERRAS dirige a la Scotish Chamber Orchestra, que suena divinamente, para redondear un producto altamente recomendable para los amantes del barroco.

LISTEN TO TERFEL.......2002-02-03

Since leading roles for bass-baritones in the operas of Handel are very, very rare, it is quite doubtful that we'll soon be seeing operatic super-star BRYN TERFEL in any international theatre performing what he says is a great love of his. This is truly a pity since it is more than a little uncommon to see and hear acting as fine as Terfel's coupled with a voice as rich and expressive as his.

Just a few nights ago, I was watching a television concert from Europe in which Anne Sofie von Otter sang 'Carmen' to Terfel's 'Escamillo' in selections from Bizet's opera. The old war horse 'The Toreador Song' has never sounded this fresh and exciting. Terfel can do what few others in his profession know how to do: he gets into the words as well as the music; he actually plays the character and presents what the composer and librettist might only have dreamed about.

Handel's operas, all of them so difficult in their coloratura passages, are seldom actually acted. One might as well just hear a concert version. But Terfel, as proven in this recording, acts as well as sings. My favorites include arias from JULIUS CAESAR and ALCINA, but every band on this CD is a winner.

Tracks:

Acis And Galatea: Love Sounds Th' Alarm
Acis And Galatea: Love In Her Eyes Sits Playing
Messiah: Comfort Ye, My People
Messiah: Ev'ry Valley Shall Be Exalted
Messiah: Thy Rebuke Hath Broken His Heart
Messiah: Behold, And See If There Be Any Sorrow
Messiah: He Was Cut Off Out Of The Land
Jephtha: Deeper And Deeper Still
Jephtha: Waft Her, Angels, Through The Skies
Samson: Total Eclipse
Serse: Ombra Mai Fu
Il Seraglio: Constanze, Constanze
The Magic Flute: O Loveliness Beyond Compare
Don Giovanni: Speak For Me To My Lady
Aida: Heavenly Aida
I Pagliacci: On With The Motley
The Mastersingers: The Prize Song
La Boheme: In A Coupe
Hiawatha's Wedding Feast: Onaway! Awake Beloved

Customer Reviews:

The finest British oratorio tenor.......2005-01-14

Webster Booth is remembered today for his musical association with his wife, Anne Ziegler, but he was also one of the finest oratorio tenors of the twentieth century.

On this CD he is in command of every emotional nuance of the recitative. 'Deeper and deeper still' from Jephtha is a good example of the emotional range. His diction is perfect and the Handelian runs are effortless.

He had an amazingly wide range, extending from a baritonal quality in the lower registers to the effortless high notes in the arias from 'Acis and Galatea'.

He also sings some standard operatic arias on the CD. All these are sung in English and he observes every expression mark to the letter.

I can thoroughly recommend this CD to potential buyers.

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1. Messiah No. 2: Comfort Ye My People - Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Keith Lewis
2. Messiah No. 3: Every Valley Shall Be Exalted - Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Keith Lewis
3. Messiah No. 4: And the Glory of the Lord
4. Messiah No. 11: For Unto Us a Child Is Born
5. Messiah No. 14: And Suddenly There Was With the Angel/Messiah No. 15: G
6. Messiah No. 16: Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion - Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa
7. Messiah No. 17: He Shall Feed His Flock - Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa
8. Messiah No. 19: Behold the Lamb of God
9. Messiah No. 30: Lift Up Your Heads
10. Messiah No. 34a: How Beautiful Are the Feet - Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Chorus,
11. Messiah No. 36: Why Do the Nations So Furiously Rag Together?/Messiah N
12. Messiah No. 39: Hallelujah
13. Messiah No. 40: I Know That Redeemer Liveth - Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Chorus,
14. Messiah No. 42: Behold, I Tell You a Mystery/Messiah No. 43: The Trumpe - Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Gwynne Howell
15. Messiah No. 47: Worthy Is the Lamb - Amen