Search - Piau, Concerto Italiano, Alessandrini :: Handel Opera Arias and Duets

Heavenly arias and duets by Sandrine Piau and Sara Mingardo

WHM | Amsterdam | 04/28/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have only utter praise for this superb recording of duets and arias by Sandrine Piau and Sara Mingardo, backed by Alessandrini's Concerto Italiano. Handel opera fans are well acquainted with soprano Sandrine Piau, based on her "disc of the year"-quality performance of Handel arias a few years ago (Sandrine Piau - Handel Opera Seria) and her captivating acting/singing in Giulio Cesare and Serse (check out YouTube). Her radiant soprano voice and seemingly effortless singing are just stunning. Sara Mingardo is one of today's rare true contraltos, whose low register is well suited to the many roles Handel wrote for castratos. Mingardo uses somewhat more vibrato than Piau, but she controls it well.



The arias and duets on this CD are carefully selected gems from ten lesser known Handel operas. As conductor Alessandrini explains: "We were careful to avoid the best-known titles and to maintain contrast from one number to another. And we kept the recitatives, so as to place the characters in the dramatic context of the opera and set the dominant mood of each aria".



The result is magnificent. Six moving duets, six solo arias (the three by Piau are highlights), all preceded by short recitativos, and two vibrant orchestral ouvertures make for a extraordinary CD. It remains amazing how Handel achieves emotion by relatively simple means. The Concerto Italiano's playing is as marvelous as Piau's and Mingardo's singing. A must-have disc for Handel opera lovers.



P.S. Free listening at a website mentioned in the comments.

"

Move Over, Fantasy Football!

Giordano Bruno | Wherever I am, I am. | 07/23/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's time to play Fantasy Baroque! And I have my team ready: at composer, Georgie Handel, il Caro Sassone; at soprano, Sandrine 'Sandy' Piau; at alto, Sara! Mingardo!; wielding the baton and holding down continuo, fresh from a stint with the Norwegian Opera, Rinaldo!; and backing them up, the all-star strings and winds of Concerto Italiano!!!



Honestly, if you are au courant on Baroque performance, just the names Piau, Mingardo, and Alessandrini should be 'review' enough. My congratulations to reviewer WHM for beating me to the punch in acclaiming this divine performance of duets and arias from ten of Handel's operas. The only thing he failed to laud properly was the elegant obbligato bassoon playing on several of the most luscious arias."