Rosemary Joshua, Early Opera Company, Christian Curnyn - Handel: Semele (2007) [Hi-Res]
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BAND/ARTIST: Rosemary Joshua, Early Opera Company, Christian Curnyn
- Title: Handel: Semele
- Year Of Release: 2007
- Label: Chandos
- Genre: Classical
- Quality: flac 24bits - 96.0kHz +Booklet
- Total Time: 02:49:36
- Total Size: 1.9 gb
- WebSite: Album Preview
Tracklist
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CD1
01. Semele, HWV 58: Overture: ( — ) -
02. Semele, HWV 58: Overture: Allegro-Adagio -
03. Semele, HWV 58: Overture: Gavotte
04. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 1: Behold! Auspicious flashes rise! (Cadmus)
05. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 1: Lucky omens bless our rites (Chorus)
06. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 1: Daughter, obey (Cadmus)
07. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 1: Ah me! What refuge now is left me? (Semele)
08. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 1: The morning lark to mine accords his note (Semele)
09. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 1: See, she blushing turns her eyes (Athamus)
10. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 1: Hymen, haste, thy torch prepare (Athamus)
11. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 1: Alas! she yields (Ino)
12. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 1: Why dost thou thus untimely grieve (Cadmus)
13. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 1: Avert these omens, all ye pow'rs! (Chorus)
14. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 1: Again auspicious flashes rise (Cadmus)
15. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 1: Thy aid, pronubial Juno, Athamas implores (Athamus)
16. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 1: Cease, cease your vows, 'tis impious to proceed (Chorus)
17. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 2: O Athamus, what torture hast thou borne! (Athamus)
18. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 2: Turn, hopeless lover, turn thy eyes (Ino)
19. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 2: She weeps! The gentle maid, in tender pity (Athamus)
20. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 2: Your tuneful voice my tale would tell (Athamus)
21. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 2: Too well I see (Ino)
22. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 2: You've undone me (Ino)
23. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 3: Ah, wretched Prince, doom'd to disastrous love!-Scene 4: See, see, Jove's Priests and holy Augurs come (Cadmus)
24. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 4: Hail, Cadmus, hail! Jove salutes the Theban King (Chorus)
25. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 4: Endless pleasure, endless love (Semele)
CD2
01. Semele, HWV 58: Act II: Sinfonia: Presto
02. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 1: Iris, impatient of thy stay (Juno)
03. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 1: There, from mortal cares retiring (Iris)
04. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 1: No more, I'll hear no more! (Juno)
05. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 1: Hence, Iris, hence away (Juno)
06. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 2: O sleep, why dost thou leave me? (Semele)
07. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 3: Let me not another moment (Semele)
08. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 3: Lay your doubts and fears aside (Jupiter)
09. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 3: You are mortal, and require time to rest (Jupiter)
10. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 3: Aria: With fond desiring (Semele)
11. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 3: How engaging, how endearing (Chorus)
12. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 3: Ah me! (Semele)-Why sighs my Semele? (Jupiter)
13. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 3: I must with speed amuse her (Jupiter)
14. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 3: Now Love that everlasting boy invites (Chorus)
15. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 3: By my command (Jupiter)
16. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 3: Where'er you walk, cool gales shall fan the glade (Jupiter)
17. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 4: Dear sister, how was your passage hither? (Semele)
18. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 4: But hark! the heav'nly sphere turns round (Ino)
19. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 4: Prepare then, ye immortal choir! (Ino, Semele)
20. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 4: Bless the glad earth with heav'nly lays (Chorus)
CD3
01. Semele, HWV 58: Act III: Sinfonia: Larghetto e piano per tutto
02. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 1: Somnus, awake! Ease thy reclining head! (Juno)
03. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 1: Leave me, loathsome light (Somnus)
04. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 1: Dull God, canst thou attend the water's fall (Iris)
05. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 1: More sweet is that name (Somnus)
06. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 1: My will obey (Juno)
07. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 1: Obey my will, thy rod resign (Juno)
08. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 2: My racking thoughts by no kind slumbers freed (Semele)
09. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 3: Thus shap'd like Ino (Juno)
10. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 3: Myself I shall adore (Semele)
11. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 3: Be wise, as you are beautiful (Juno)
12. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 3: Thus let my thanks be paid (Semele)
13. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 3: Rich odours fill the fragrant air (Juno)
14. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 4: Come to my arms, my lovely fair (Jupiter)
15. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 4: O Semele (Jupiter)
16. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 4: I ever am granting (Semele)
17. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 4: Speak, speak your desire (Jupiter)
18. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 4: You'll grant what I require (Semele)
19. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 4: Then cast off this human shape which you wear (Semele)
20. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 4: Ah, take heed what you press (Jupiter)
21. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 4: No, no! I'll take no less (Semele)
22. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 5: Ah! whither is she gone! unhappy fair! (Jupiter)
23. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 6: Above measure (Juno)
24. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 7: Ah me! too late I now repent (Semele)
25. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 8: Of my ill-boding dream (Ino)
26. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 8: Oh, terror and astonishment! (Chorus)
27. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 8: How I was hence remov'd (Ino)
28. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 8: Despair no more shall wound me (Athamus)
29. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 8: See from above the bellying clouds descend (Cadmus)
30. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 9: Sinfonia
31. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 9: Apollo comes, to relieve your care (Apollo)
32. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 9: Happy, happy shall we be (All)
Of a handful of previous recordings of Semele, none was entirely satisfying. Which makes this new version – complete save for an aria for Cupid that Handel later pilfered for Hercules – all the more welcome. Christian Curnyn understands the unique tinta of this gorgeous score, and directs his spruce period band with a nice blend of nonchalant elegance and dramatic energy. Tempi are shrewdly judged, rhythms light and supple, and recitatives tumble inevitably into arias. The tragic dénouement in Act 3 has due weight and intensity, whether in the tenderly inflected accompanied recitatives for Jupiter and Semele, or the awed chorus of Thebans after the heroine's incineration.
As at the English National Opera, Rosemary Joshua, radiant of tone, dazzling in coloratura, makes Semele far more than an over-sexed airhead. She is trills ethereally in 'The morning lark', distils a drowsy, erotic languor in 'O sleep, why dost thou leave me?', and ornaments her 'mirror' aria, 'Myself I shall adore', with dizzy glee. She is imploring and fiery by turns in her exchanges with Jupiter, and brings real pathos to the haunting siciliano 'Thus let my thanks be paid' and her sublime death scene. As Jupiter, Richard Croft fields a honeyed, sensuous tone (heard to advantage in a seductive 'Where're you walk') and formidable agility, though he could learn a thing or two about diction from Anthony Rolfe-Johnson (on Gardiner's Erato set). Like Handel himself, Curnyn assigns the virago Juno and Semele's gentle sister Ino to the same singer. Hilary Summers, a true, deep contralto, characterises both roles well. Brindley Sherratt, with his oaky bass, offers vivid, witty cameos as Cadmus and Somnus, while Stephen Wallace sings Athamas's arias with smooth tone and a nimble florid technique, though a suspicion remains that the role lies a bit low for him. With excellent recorded sound and balance, and an informative essay from David Vickers, this becomes a clear first choice for an everenticing work.
---------
CD1
01. Semele, HWV 58: Overture: ( — ) -
02. Semele, HWV 58: Overture: Allegro-Adagio -
03. Semele, HWV 58: Overture: Gavotte
04. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 1: Behold! Auspicious flashes rise! (Cadmus)
05. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 1: Lucky omens bless our rites (Chorus)
06. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 1: Daughter, obey (Cadmus)
07. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 1: Ah me! What refuge now is left me? (Semele)
08. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 1: The morning lark to mine accords his note (Semele)
09. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 1: See, she blushing turns her eyes (Athamus)
10. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 1: Hymen, haste, thy torch prepare (Athamus)
11. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 1: Alas! she yields (Ino)
12. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 1: Why dost thou thus untimely grieve (Cadmus)
13. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 1: Avert these omens, all ye pow'rs! (Chorus)
14. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 1: Again auspicious flashes rise (Cadmus)
15. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 1: Thy aid, pronubial Juno, Athamas implores (Athamus)
16. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 1: Cease, cease your vows, 'tis impious to proceed (Chorus)
17. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 2: O Athamus, what torture hast thou borne! (Athamus)
18. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 2: Turn, hopeless lover, turn thy eyes (Ino)
19. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 2: She weeps! The gentle maid, in tender pity (Athamus)
20. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 2: Your tuneful voice my tale would tell (Athamus)
21. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 2: Too well I see (Ino)
22. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 2: You've undone me (Ino)
23. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 3: Ah, wretched Prince, doom'd to disastrous love!-Scene 4: See, see, Jove's Priests and holy Augurs come (Cadmus)
24. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 4: Hail, Cadmus, hail! Jove salutes the Theban King (Chorus)
25. Semele, HWV 58: Act I Scene 4: Endless pleasure, endless love (Semele)
CD2
01. Semele, HWV 58: Act II: Sinfonia: Presto
02. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 1: Iris, impatient of thy stay (Juno)
03. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 1: There, from mortal cares retiring (Iris)
04. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 1: No more, I'll hear no more! (Juno)
05. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 1: Hence, Iris, hence away (Juno)
06. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 2: O sleep, why dost thou leave me? (Semele)
07. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 3: Let me not another moment (Semele)
08. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 3: Lay your doubts and fears aside (Jupiter)
09. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 3: You are mortal, and require time to rest (Jupiter)
10. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 3: Aria: With fond desiring (Semele)
11. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 3: How engaging, how endearing (Chorus)
12. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 3: Ah me! (Semele)-Why sighs my Semele? (Jupiter)
13. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 3: I must with speed amuse her (Jupiter)
14. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 3: Now Love that everlasting boy invites (Chorus)
15. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 3: By my command (Jupiter)
16. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 3: Where'er you walk, cool gales shall fan the glade (Jupiter)
17. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 4: Dear sister, how was your passage hither? (Semele)
18. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 4: But hark! the heav'nly sphere turns round (Ino)
19. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 4: Prepare then, ye immortal choir! (Ino, Semele)
20. Semele, HWV 58: Act II Scene 4: Bless the glad earth with heav'nly lays (Chorus)
CD3
01. Semele, HWV 58: Act III: Sinfonia: Larghetto e piano per tutto
02. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 1: Somnus, awake! Ease thy reclining head! (Juno)
03. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 1: Leave me, loathsome light (Somnus)
04. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 1: Dull God, canst thou attend the water's fall (Iris)
05. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 1: More sweet is that name (Somnus)
06. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 1: My will obey (Juno)
07. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 1: Obey my will, thy rod resign (Juno)
08. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 2: My racking thoughts by no kind slumbers freed (Semele)
09. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 3: Thus shap'd like Ino (Juno)
10. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 3: Myself I shall adore (Semele)
11. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 3: Be wise, as you are beautiful (Juno)
12. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 3: Thus let my thanks be paid (Semele)
13. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 3: Rich odours fill the fragrant air (Juno)
14. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 4: Come to my arms, my lovely fair (Jupiter)
15. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 4: O Semele (Jupiter)
16. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 4: I ever am granting (Semele)
17. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 4: Speak, speak your desire (Jupiter)
18. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 4: You'll grant what I require (Semele)
19. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 4: Then cast off this human shape which you wear (Semele)
20. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 4: Ah, take heed what you press (Jupiter)
21. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 4: No, no! I'll take no less (Semele)
22. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 5: Ah! whither is she gone! unhappy fair! (Jupiter)
23. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 6: Above measure (Juno)
24. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 7: Ah me! too late I now repent (Semele)
25. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 8: Of my ill-boding dream (Ino)
26. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 8: Oh, terror and astonishment! (Chorus)
27. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 8: How I was hence remov'd (Ino)
28. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 8: Despair no more shall wound me (Athamus)
29. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 8: See from above the bellying clouds descend (Cadmus)
30. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 9: Sinfonia
31. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 9: Apollo comes, to relieve your care (Apollo)
32. Semele, HWV 58: Act III Scene 9: Happy, happy shall we be (All)
Of a handful of previous recordings of Semele, none was entirely satisfying. Which makes this new version – complete save for an aria for Cupid that Handel later pilfered for Hercules – all the more welcome. Christian Curnyn understands the unique tinta of this gorgeous score, and directs his spruce period band with a nice blend of nonchalant elegance and dramatic energy. Tempi are shrewdly judged, rhythms light and supple, and recitatives tumble inevitably into arias. The tragic dénouement in Act 3 has due weight and intensity, whether in the tenderly inflected accompanied recitatives for Jupiter and Semele, or the awed chorus of Thebans after the heroine's incineration.
As at the English National Opera, Rosemary Joshua, radiant of tone, dazzling in coloratura, makes Semele far more than an over-sexed airhead. She is trills ethereally in 'The morning lark', distils a drowsy, erotic languor in 'O sleep, why dost thou leave me?', and ornaments her 'mirror' aria, 'Myself I shall adore', with dizzy glee. She is imploring and fiery by turns in her exchanges with Jupiter, and brings real pathos to the haunting siciliano 'Thus let my thanks be paid' and her sublime death scene. As Jupiter, Richard Croft fields a honeyed, sensuous tone (heard to advantage in a seductive 'Where're you walk') and formidable agility, though he could learn a thing or two about diction from Anthony Rolfe-Johnson (on Gardiner's Erato set). Like Handel himself, Curnyn assigns the virago Juno and Semele's gentle sister Ino to the same singer. Hilary Summers, a true, deep contralto, characterises both roles well. Brindley Sherratt, with his oaky bass, offers vivid, witty cameos as Cadmus and Somnus, while Stephen Wallace sings Athamas's arias with smooth tone and a nimble florid technique, though a suspicion remains that the role lies a bit low for him. With excellent recorded sound and balance, and an informative essay from David Vickers, this becomes a clear first choice for an everenticing work.
Year 2019 | Classical | FLAC / APE | HD & Vinyl
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