Outil de traduction ~ (Très approximatif)
Translator tool (Very approximate)
Reviewer: Robert Thicknesse
A fabulous disc which contains
few of the usual suspects but concentrates on troubled background characters
– demonstrating Handel’s impartial sympathy as they step into the light to
speak. Even the most ardent Handelophile will find surprises here. The
French alto Nathalie Stutzmann, with a voice like some sort of honey
liqueur, directs her own band, Orfeo 55. The result is marvellous: a
thoroughly integrated performance in a programme that is varied enough
despite an unsurprising emphasis on wounded hearts. This suits the
melancholy colouring of her voice, which is at its best in Dardano’s ‘Pena
tiranna’ (Amadigi), with plaintive oboe and bassoon holding the singer’s
hand, Ottone’s brilliantly layered ‘Voi che udite’ (Agrippina), Irene’s
lilting ‘Par che mi nasca’ (Tamerlano) and the beautiful, theorbo-accompanied,
serenade-like ‘Senti, bell’idol mio’ from Silla. The more forthright numbers
are pretty convincing too, with some fabulous rushing strings in a rage aria
from Alessandro and a great little pizzicato sinfonia from Scipio. There’s
even a duet (‘Son nata a lagrimar’) with Philippe Jaroussky.
