Search - George Frideric Handel, Giovanni Antonini, Eva Mei :: Eva Mei - Handel Cantatas (Agrippina - Armida - Lucrezia) / Il Giardino Armonico

Quite disappointing

03/22/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a great fan of Il Giardino Armonico's Vivaldi playing, so I couldn't wait to hear this CD. Sadly, it seems that their style isn't ideally suited to Handel's music. Or, they don't know yet how to play Handel. The singer is okay, but not great. The musical result oddly doesn't sound like Handel very much. However, with Il Giardino Armonico's virtuosity and stylishness, it's very possible that in the future they'll become the definitive Handel orchestra just as they've already become the authoritative Vivaldi ensemble. I look forward to their next CD!"

Very exciting!

Aaron J. Marx | Stevens Point, WI United States | 01/07/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The works on this CD come from Handel's Italian period. The works of this period are generally characterized by visceral excitement and effervescent orchestration, hinting at, but not quite acheiving the sublime emotional depth he was to exhibit later in his career, namely in the great London operas. It is these characteristics that make an ensemble that has specialized in Vivaldi's music almost ideal for this situation. This music is meant to sparkle and glitter, and it does just that when presented by this ensemble. I also think Mei's clear and forceful singing amply encapsulates the anguish felt by the various heroins. Remember that this is early Handel, like his opera Rodrigo, and you will realize that this setting of these works is well-suited for their style."