Lorraine Hunt - Handel Arias [IMPORT] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REISSUED]

George Frideric Handel (Composer), Nicholas McGegan (Conductor), Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra (Orchestra), Lorraine Hunt Lieberson (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Lorraine Hunt Lieberson
• Orchestra: Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra
• Conductor: Nicholas McGegan
• Composer: George Frideric Handel
• Audio CD (May 17, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Original recording reissued
• Label: Harmonia Mundi
• ASIN: B0000007EU
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #23,442 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #9 in	Music > Imports > Opera & Vocal
  #39 in	Music > Opera & Vocal > Historical Periods > Baroque (c.1600-1750)
  #78 in	Music > Opera & Vocal > Arias

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Possibly the most beautiful female voice of the generation, April 22, 1999

By	[e-mail] - See all my reviews

Lorraine Hunt's voice is incredibly beautiful, and very recognizable. It is simply impossible to mistake her for anybody else. Her best register is mezzo, and she generally sings low-tessitura parts in which she can be very effective. Yet, her voice is not low enough (plus it is too feminine) in order to sing male roles convincingly. Unfortunately also, she has quite a bit of vibrato in her upper register where her voice can spread uncomfortably when pushed. Nevertheless, the sheer beauty of her timbre compensates for the occasional technical flaw. I enjoyed this disc, but I most cherish Lorraine Hunt's performances as Medee and Phaedra in two stunning recordings with Les Arts Florissants.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Ode to Beauty and Artistry (Lorraine Hunt-Lieberson, 1954-2006), July 6, 2006

By	The Cultural Observer - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

I've been meaning to review this album for the longest time, but haven't because of my committments at work and other things. Lieberson's voice, in my opinion, is one of the most beautiful instruments of our generation. It is, unlike a certain Renaaay who tries to sing anything and everything as a huge, incoherent slur, a very beautifully and artistically sung Handel recital. The tone is simply magnificent! And no other Handelian artist has connected her singing of the role with a dramatic sense that is so acute as her performances of the role.

It is really sad to know that this great artist died of breast cancer two days ago in her home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It was a big loss for the operatic world to lose such a beautiful instrument at such a young age. Lorraine Hunt-Lieberson will be missed.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars subtle beauty, November 13, 2005

By	songstreet (United States) - See all my reviews

I have had this CD for several years now, and also all of the CDs from which these arias are drawn. What a great album; I would not be without it. Ms. Hunt (now Hunt Lieberson) has the voice, phrasing, discipline...the inner understanding of this music. She's "connected" on almost every piece here. 'Angels Bright and Fair' is a particular standout in my view; but almost certainly, if you are a lover of Handel's music, you will find something special here. Her soprano to mezzo soprano on this CD was a subtle and extraordinary voice for performing these pieces.