Search - Handel, Laki, Jacobs :: Handel: Partenope (Complete)

Warning - no libretto

S. Jones | Schenectady | 05/29/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"First and foremost, all potential buyers should be aware that this set has no libretto, and the skeletal synopsis is woefully inadequate and sometimes inaccurate (at least in terms of track numbers); Sony should be ashamed. Also the track listings are no help, since they mention only the character that utters the first word or words. All this is particularly important in the case of Partenope because, as far as I can tell, it has one of Handel's more charming libretti, perhaps on the line of Semele and Acis and Galatea (and better than Serses). Then again, I can't be sure. The music is certainly delightful, and the conductor relishes every bit of it; this is definitely one of the best conducted Handel sets I own (and I own about 30). The cast is generally good and handles the coloratura well, although one countertenor is pale and lightweight and the other (Jacobs) turns off some people. Also the Rosmira just gets through her first rage aria, but she more than makes up for it in her second. All do bring their characters to life, and the voices are sufficiently differentiated that you can almost always tell who's singing (no thanks to Sony). In short, the set is highly recommended for musical enjoyment, if you understand Italian; if you don't, your listening pleasure may be lessened."