Roberta Invernizzi - Handel - Italian cantatas (Vol 1)

Roberta Invernizzi - Handel - Italian cantatas (Vol.1)



Handel: Le Cantate per il Cardinal Pamphili



http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/6017/frontwsb.jpg
/>


Handel arrived in Italy in 1706 at the age of 21 and stayed for four years. During that time he wrote nearly 100 cantatas for his noble Italian patrons in Venice, Florence, Rome, and Naples.



This CD is the first in a series by Glossa that will record all the Italian cantatas with instrumental accompaninent (around 30 cantatas total).



Let me say straight away that this is a deeply satisfying -- even *magical* -- recording. Handelians will know that the music of his Italian years has an incomparable freshness and charm, yet it still has a depth that assures us of Handel's genius at even this early age.



Most Handelians will already own other recordings of the two most popular works here, "Tra le fiamme" and "Il Delirio Amoroso." I have an excellent recording by Maria Bayo (on the Naive label) of the former, and by Ann Murray (on Coro) of the latter.



But soprano Roberta Invernizzi is their equal, and the ten-member Italian group La Risonanza support her most beautifully -- nay, ravishingly. And even if duplication is involved, this CD is most desirable for its inclusion of two quite rare cantatas: "Figlio d'alte speranze" and the brief, four-movement, but most exquisite gem "Pensieri notturni de filli," which is scored only for soprano, flute, and basso continuo.



Invernizzi sings with more drama and awareness of text than Natalie Dessay on her recent CD with Haim, and with less strain than Kozena, who is harried unduly by Minkowski (not a true Handelian) on her cantata recording. The band plays with a most pleasing naturalness, always alert but never exaggerating tempo or gesture -- a model of taste and discretion.



The demonstration-worthy recording allows young Handel's genius to shine through in every movement. Based on this first installment, I can hardly believe that another half-dozen or so CDs (based on four cantatas per disc) still await. Talk about a treasure trove!



Award-winning recording!





http://www.amazon.com/Handel-Cantate-per-Cardinal-Pamphili/dp/B000HT34UW
/>


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXjHyaIyfSU
/>


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaT7wnkbPjM
/>


Please be kind and seed after downloading!