4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
a voice teacher and early music fan, January 12, 2006
This review is from: G.F. Handel: Solomon (Oratorio in English, historically accurate) / Chance, Argenta, Reviol, Podger, Balbach, Maulbronn Choir, Hannoversche Hofkapelle, Budday (Audio CD)
THIS IS A LIVE PERFORMANCE from Maulbronn, and because it IS live it has all the excitement and emotional output that only a LIVE performance can produce from its performers and conductor! It's like the opening night of a broadway show; everybody is 'psyched' and will give their absolute best! If a mistake creeps in here and there, or not at all, it's the emotion of the occasion that creates the excitement everywhere in the hall.
It was the summer of 1748 Handel composed his oratorio "Solomon" which depicts a wise and god-fearing ruler, with Solomon's court presenting the image of an ideal society. The central theme of the libretto originates from the Old Testament: the Book of Kings (1st Kings 1-11) and the Chronicles (2nd Chr. 1-9).
The oratorio is not distinguished with a dramatic plot, but rather contains juxtaposed pictures and scenes. With two choirs and seven eight-voice choir parts Handel makes use of all of the existing composition possibilites of that time. By casting Solomon as a countertenor he makes use of opera's tradition of elevating heroes with supernatural strength and wisdom into the super-human by using the ethereal sounding countertenor voice.
This CD is the first one that I heard from Maulbronn and I was stunned by the entire performance! It was exciting both vocally and instrumentally; I found it impossible to pause even for sustenance. Jurgen Budday has assembled a great lineup of soloists who projected their respective roles perfectly. For the most part the words of the chorus were understandable and created the proper dramatic tension.
Michael Chance as Solomon displayed his usual skill in getting inside the role and the songs. The scene with the two harlots who were both claiming the same child, was compellingly realistic. Nancy Argenta, soprano, sings beautifully throughout, singing her arias with great skill and energy.
So many great songs by Handel on this disc I wouldn't want to have missed it! Since then I have purchased four more Oratorios from Maulbronn. I assure you that they are all first-rate!
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