Handel - Semele [Curnyn]

(first complete recording on period instruments)
3 CD | EAC | FLAC tracks+CUE+LOG | Booklet | 783 MB | TT 169:35
Recorded: 16-20 April 2007, All Saints Church, East Finchley, London
Released: 2007 | Label: CHANDOS

CD 1

Depositfiles - - Filefactory - - Turbobit

CD 2

Depositfiles - - Filefactory - - Turbobit

CD 3

Depositfiles - - Filefactory - - Turbobit

scans

Depositfiles - - Filefactory - - Turbobit

Rosemary Joshua (soprano), Hilary Summers (mezzo soprano),
Richard Croft (tenor), Stephen Wallace (counter-tenor),
Brindley Sherratt (bass), Gail Pearson (soprano),
Early Opera Company (on period instruments), Christian Curnyn (conductor)

'Chandos’s new entrant is the first early-instrument Semele to be recorded absolutely complete… Thanks no doubt to stage experience as Semele, Rosemary Joshua brings irresistible unforced charm to her every scene. There is character in even the smallest phrases…Chandos provides clear, natural sound.' (International Record Review)

'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…. As at the English National opera, rosemary Joshua, radiant of tone, dazzling coloratura, makes Semele far more than an over-sexed airhead… this becomes a clear fist choice for an ever enticing work.' (Gramophone)

'In the title role, soprano Rosemary Joshua applies light and graceful tone and conveys Smemle’s willful, pleasure-seeking nature. As her immortal lover Jupiter, tenor Richard Croft is equally lucid and nimble.' (BBC Music Magazine)

'It is superbly sung by the tenor Robert Croft, easily the most sensuous of all recorded Jupiters, while Rosemary Joshua is captivating as Semele – her diamaninte tone and dazzling coloratura technique making nimble work of her gorgeous arias… A must for Handelians, and anyone who doesn’t know one of his most life-enhancing masterpieces.' (The Sunday Times)

'With Rosemary Joshua’s enchantingly ditzy heroine, Richard Croft’s romantic Jupiter and Hilary Summers as Ino/Juno, this is the most complete and idiomatically sung account on disc of Handel’s closet English Opera' (Sunday Times ‘Disc of the Year 2007’)

'Rosemary Joshua has established herself as one of the foremost interpreters of the role of Semele, the charming, dizzy-headed mortal who falls in love with the king of the gods. She excels at the fearsome coloratura, the warm lyricism, and the sheer fizz of the role. All this comes across in conductor Christian Curnyn’s recording, and there‘s some beautiful support from Richard Croft as Jupiter and counter tenor Stephen Wallce as Semele’s financé Athamus' (Classic FM)

'An obligatory set for Handelians' (Goldberg 50)

'…this new recording becomes the prime recommendation for Handel’s hedonistic masterpiece.' (Telegraph Classical CD of the Week)

I'm beginning here to resurrect some of the works that "disappeared" from Avax or were "abandoned" from the original uploaders. There's not a real thought behind it, I'm just cleaning up my HDs and following the wind. What I downloaded long ago is flowing back. All credits go to the first uploader. Enjoy...