Search - George Frederick Handel, Raymond Leppard, English Chamber Orchestra :: Handel: Ariodante - Complete Opera (3 CD Set) / Raymond Leppard

A Great Recording of a Great Opera

Robert M. Nichols | 04/15/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have not heard the recent Minkowski version of this opera featuring von Otter but I doubt it could surpass this effort. After all, how do you improve upon perfection? Regal, stately and lush music envelops you as each aria surpasses the previous one. This is director Raymond Leppard at his finest. And what a line up of vocal stars! The best of yesteryear including Janet Baker herself along with Edith Mathis, James Bowman and Samuel Ramey. And don't forget Norma Burrowes who has a prettier singing voice than Emma Kirkby in my opinion. Her voice rings as clear as a bell on this recording. Though I am not schooled in the fine art of music criticism I have been an avid listener of classical music and opera for some time now and have heard a wealth of various performances by the biggest names and in the various styles both period and modern and everything in between. This definitely ranks up there with one of the greatest recordings of a Handel opera, my favorite composer by the way. Believe me you won't be disappointed in this recording. And at half the price of the Minkowski entry you can't go wrong. Enjoy!"

The ECO at his best !

oscarolavarria | Santiago, Chile | 04/17/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I think like Robert Nichols that this is an excellent version of this work, that proves that an interpretation could be authentic without old or "ancient" instruments, I explain me: all the authenticist players or "ancient" orchestras uses what they names "authentic instruments", but I answer to you: which of all this interpretations is the really authentic: Harnoncourt's, Gardiner's, Hogdwood's, etc? Well, in the 80's the English Chamber Orchestra (ECO) was without discussion the best chamber orchestra in the world, and conductor Raymond Leppard was in Haendel's works an specialist, and he gives me more confiance than the other conductors before mentioned. And the singers? superlative... ¡None sings the "Doppo notte, atra e funesta" in III Act, like Janet Baker!. I highly recommend this recording. Oscar Olavarría "