Le Concert d’Astree, Emmanuelle Haim - Handel: La Resurrezione (2009) CD-Rip

Such stalwarts as Christopher Hogwood, Marc Minkowski, John Eliot Gardiner, and Nicholas McGegan tackled Handel's early oratorio La Resurrezione before Emmanuelle Haïm, but hers may well be the most passionate performance of the once-rare work yet recorded. Part of the reason is Haïm's own fiery nature. Nothing here is merely filler: every aria, recitative, and interlude is played for maximum musical and emotional value. Part of her success is due to Haïm's choice of soloists. While some listeners might wish soprano Camilla Tilling brought more strength to her part, she and the other four soloists bring plenty of intensity to their singing. All of them, particularly Luca Pisaroni as Lucifero, make the most of every opportunity for virtuoso display and emotional expressivity, and the cumulative effect is close to exhausting. Haïm's orchestra, Le Concert d'Astrée, a sterling group of musicians, is every bit as dedicated to fulfilling the requirements of the music as it is to satisfying the stringent demands of its leader. Recorded in richly detailed and lushly colorful sound, this La Resurrezione deserves to be heard by anyone who likes the work or the composer.