Handel / Orlando

George Frideric Handel (Composer), William Christie (Conductor), Les Arts Florissants (Orchestra), Patricia Bardon (Performer), Rosemary Joshua (Performer), Hilary Summers (Performer), Rosa Mannion (Performer), Harry van der Kamp (Performer), Hiro Kurosaki (Performer), Hugo Reyne (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Patricia Bardon, Rosemary Joshua, Hilary Summers, Rosa Mannion, Harry van der Kamp, et al.
• Orchestra: Les Arts Florissants
• Conductor: William Christie
• Composer: George Frideric Handel
• Audio CD (October 1, 1996)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 3
• Label: Erato
• ASIN: B000005E4L
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #70,504 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Orlando has one of those quintessentially goofy Baroque opera plots, but it is partially sustained, at least, by some of Handel's most beautiful arias. Mezzo-soprano Patricia Bardon as Orlando sings well enough in a technical sense, but is on the dull side dramatically. The rest of the cast is more interesting, particularly Harry van der Kamp as the magician Zoroastro, and the sweet-voiced Rosa Mannion as Dorinda. It's really William Christie's show, of course, and his conducting of his talented ensemble is one of the best things about this recording. --Sarah Bryan Miller

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A grand Masterpiece from Handel's "Mad Opera Cycle", June 22, 2000

By A Customer

This opera is probably one of the greatest operas in the history of opera. The reviewer from italy is right, after listening to the trio "Consolati o Bella" it made me thank god for creating "Il caro Sassonne", and I think, that in some cases, Handel is even better than Mozart (Please forgive me Mozart fans, for I am one to). The music is beautiful I must try to convince Amazon.com to let listeners hear the sleep Aria "Gia l'ebro" it is one of the most beautiful arias in Opera history, it has two rare instruments, the "Violette Marine", which laments in the whole aria, and has the Basso continuo at pizzacatto, and the outcome is beautiful. The trio is absolutely Beautiful, though simple, and the mad scene in Act II is grand. Mr. Christie Interprets this aria/accomp. recititive, very well, the mad scene is splendid, the isanity of Handel has finally been leashed in this opera and two other "Mad" operas (Alcina, and Ariodante). You see the reason why I called the three operas, "Ariodante", "Orlando", and "Alcina" "mad operas", is because, the plots are about main characters that go mad and are betrayed in love and in return to these grand librettos, Handel incorporated great,crazy, flying-like music to describe Handel's insanity and frustration at a time when these operas were written, Handel had a horrible financial problem. Buy this recording, it's expensive cd, but it's worth it, and you will not be dissapointed!

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a pleasant music!, October 26, 1999

By A Customer

These are CDs good to appreciate the perfection of the classic italian opera and to love it. Chritie is one of the greter conductors of this kind of operas, that he seems to feel so much. Wanderful the singers, expecially the three women. Listen please to the terzetto "CONSOLATI, O BELLA" for 2 Mezzo and 1 Soprano and, after, thanks God to have crerated Haendel! This recording is absolutely a masterpiec.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real magic, December 22, 2000

By	Mikhail Fikhtengoltz (Moscow, Russia) - See all my reviews

This is one of the best issues from Erato in 90th. There are no stars in this recording, but, my God, what amazing singing! The feeling of Handel'music by singers is perfect, ane everyone is ideally suited to the character. The silky sweet soprano of Rosemary Joshua (Angelica) is well contrasted by voice of Rosa Mannion (Dorinda), who brings agility and charm to the opera. Hilary Summers is a true Medoro. And of course, mad Orlando, sung by sweet-toned Patricia Bardon, is a delight. Handel would be very glad for such a cast. Well done, Christie!