Immerse yourself in the timeless genius of George Frideric Handel with this captivating collection, the eighth volume in the esteemed Handel Edition series. Released in 2009 under Warner Classics International, this album spans a generous 2 hours and 25 minutes, offering a rich tapestry of Handel's masterful compositions.
The album opens with the pastoral serenity of "Acis and Galatea," a pastoral opera that showcases Handel's unparalleled ability to blend vocal and instrumental elements. The lush harmonies and vivid storytelling of this work transport you to the idyllic landscapes of ancient mythology, where love and tragedy unfold in a tapestry of exquisite arias and choruses.
Following this, the album delves into the dramatic intensity of "Theodora," an oratorio that explores themes of faith, persecution, and redemption. Handel's powerful orchestration and profound vocal writing bring to life the struggles of early Christians under Roman rule, creating a deeply moving and spiritually uplifting experience.
The album also features selections from "Agrippina condotta a morire," "Armida abbandonata," and "La Lucrezia," each offering a unique glimpse into Handel's versatility and innovation. From the operatic grandeur of "Agrippina" to the poignant lament of "Armida" and the tragic tale of "La Lucrezia," these works demonstrate Handel's mastery of the Baroque style and his enduring influence on classical music.
Whether you're a seasoned Handel enthusiast or a newcomer to his music, this album is a treasure trove of Baroque brilliance. The performances are brought to life by some of the most renowned artists and ensembles in the classical world, ensuring an authentic and captivating listening experience.
Handel: Acis and Galatea, HWV 49, Act 1: SinfoniaGeorge Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Acis and Galatea, HWV 49, Act 1: Chorus. "Oh the pleasure of the plains!" (Chorus)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Andrew Sinclair, David Le Monnier, François Piolino, Les Arts Florissants, Paul Agnew, Sophie Daneman
Handel: Acis and Galatea, HWV 49, Act 1: Recitative. "Ye verdant plains" (Galatea)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Sophie Daneman
Handel: Acis and Galatea, HWV 49, Act 1: Air. "Hush, ye pretty warbling quire" (Galatea)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Sophie Daneman
Handel: Acis and Galatea, HWV 49, Act 1: Recitative. "Where shall I seek" (Acis)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Paul Agnew
Handel: Acis and Galatea, HWV 49, Act 1: Recitative. "Stay, shepherd, stay!" (Damon)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Patricia Petibon
Handel: Acis and Galatea, HWV 49, Act 1: Air. "Shepherd, what art thou pursuing?" (Damon)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Patricia Petibon
Handel: Acis and Galatea, HWV 49, Act 1: Recitative. "Lo! Here my love!" (Acis)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Paul Agnew
Handel: Acis and Galatea, HWV 49, Act 1: Air. "Love in her eyes sits playing" (Acis)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Paul Agnew
Handel: Acis and Galatea, HWV 49, Act 1: Recitative. "Oh! Didst thou know the pains" (Galatea)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Sophie Daneman
Handel: Acis and Galatea, HWV 49, Act 1: Air. "As when the dove" (Galatea)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Sophie Daneman
Handel: Acis and Galatea, HWV 49, Act 1: Duett. "Happy we!" (Acis, Galatea)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Paul Agnew, Sophie Daneman
Handel: Acis and Galatea, HWV 49, Act 1: Chorus. "Happy we!" (Chorus)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Alan Ewing, Andrew Sinclair, David Le Monnier, François Piolino, Joseph Cornwell, Les Arts Florissants, Patricia Petibon, Paul Agnew, Sophie Daneman
Handel: Acis and Galatea, HWV 49, Act 2: Chorus. "Wretched lovers!" (Chorus)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Alan Ewing, Andrew Sinclair, David Le Monnier, François Piolino, Joseph Cornwell, Les Arts Florissants, Patricia Petibon, Paul Agnew, Sophie Daneman
Handel: Acis and Galatea, HWV 49, Act 2: Recitative. "I rage, I melt, I burn!" (Polyphemus)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Alan Ewing, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Acis and Galatea, HWV 49, Act 2: Air. "O ruddier than the cherry" (Polyphemus)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Alan Ewing, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Acis and Galatea, HWV 49, Act 2: Recitative. "Whither, fairest, art thou running" (Polyphemus, Galatea)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Alan Ewing, Les Arts Florissants, Sophie Daneman
Handel: Acis and Galatea, HWV 49, Act 2: Air. "Cease to beauty to be suing" (Polyphemus)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Alan Ewing, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Acis and Galatea, HWV 49, Act 2: Air. "Would you gain the tender creature" (Damon)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Patricia Petibon
Handel: Acis and Galatea, HWV 49, Act 2: Recitative. "His hideous love provokes my rage" (Acis)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Paul Agnew
Handel: Acis and Galatea, HWV 49, Act 2: Air. "Love sounds th'alarm" (Acis)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Paul Agnew
Handel: Acis and Galatea, HWV 49, Act 2: Air. "Consider, fond shepherd" (Damon)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Joseph Cornwell, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Acis and Galatea, HWV 49, Act 2: Recitative. "Cease, oh cease, thou gentle youth" (Galatea)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Sophie Daneman
Handel: Acis and Galatea, HWV 49, Act 2: Trio. "The flocks shall leave the mountains" (Acis, Galatea, Polyphemus)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Alan Ewing, Les Arts Florissants, Paul Agnew, Sophie Daneman
Handel: Acis and Galatea, HWV 49, Act 2: Recitative. "Help, Galatea!" (Acis)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Paul Agnew
Handel: Acis and Galatea, HWV 49, Act 2: Chorus. "Mourn, all ye muses!" (Chorus)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Alan Ewing, Andrew Sinclair, David Le Monnier, François Piolino, Joseph Cornwell, Les Arts Florissants, Patricia Petibon, Paul Agnew, Sophie Daneman
Handel: Acis and Galatea, HWV 49, Act 2: Solo and Chorus. "Must I my Acis still bemoan" (Galatea, Chorus)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Alan Ewing, Andrew Sinclair, David Le Monnier, François Piolino, Joseph Cornwell, Les Arts Florissants, Paul Agnew, Sophie Daneman
Handel: Acis and Galatea, HWV 49, Act 2: Recitative. "'Tis done, thus I exert my pow'r divine" (Galatea)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Sophie Daneman
Handel: Acis and Galatea, HWV 49, Act 2: Air. "Heart, the seat of soft delight" (Galatea)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Sophie Daneman
Handel: Acis and Galatea, HWV 49, Act 2: Chorus. "Galatea, dry thy tears" (Chorus)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Alan Ewing, Andrew Sinclair, David Le Monnier, François Piolino, Joseph Cornwell, Les Arts Florissants, Patricia Petibon, Paul Agnew, Sophie Daneman
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: OvertureGeorge Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: TrioGeorge Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: CouranteGeorge Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Recitative. "'Tis Diocletian's natal day" (Valens)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Nathan Berg
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Air. "Go, my faithful soldier, go" (Valens)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Nathan Berg
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Chorus. "And draw a blessing down" (Heathens)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Recitative. "Vouchsafe, dread Sir" (Didymus, Valens)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Daniel Taylor, Les Arts Florissants, Nathan Berg
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Air. "Racks, gibbets, sword and fire" (Valens)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Nathan Berg
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Chorus. "For ever thus stands fix'd the doom" (Heathens)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Recitative. "Most cruel edict!" (Didymus)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Daniel Taylor, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Air. "The raptur'd soul defies the sword" (Didymus)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Daniel Taylor, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Recitative. "I know thy virtues" (Septimius)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Richard Croft
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Air. "Descend, kind Pity" (Septimius)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Richard Croft
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Recitative. "Though hard, my friends" (Theodora)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Sophie Daneman
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Air. "Fond flatt'ring world, adieu!" (Theodora)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Sophie Daneman
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Recitative. "O bright example of all goodness!" (Irene)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Juliette Galstian, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Air. "Bane of virtue, nurse of passions" (Irene)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Juliette Galstian, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Chorus. "Come, mighty Father, mighty Lord" (Christians)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Recitative. "Fly, my brethren!" - Recitative. "Ah! wither should we fly?" (Messenger, Irene)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Juliette Galstian, Laurent Slaars, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Air. "As with rosy steps" (Irene)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Juliette Galstian, Les Arts Florissants
George Frideric Handel, born in 1685 in Halle, Germany, is one of the most celebrated composers of the Baroque era, renowned for his enduring influence on classical music. His prolific career spanned various genres, including operas, oratorios, anthems, and concerti grossi. Handel's compositions, such as the iconic 'Water Music' and 'Music for the Royal Fireworks', continue to captivate audiences today. After settling in London in 1712, he became a prominent figure in British musical life, leaving an indelible mark on the country's cultural landscape. Handel's works are celebrated for their grandeur and emotional depth, making him a cornerstone of the Baroque period and a symbol of European musical heritage. His final resting place is in the south transept of Westminster Abbey, a testament to his enduring legacy.