Description

For most of his life, Handel was primarily an opera composer. Although he is mostly remembered today for his oratorios, which as a dramatic stage form occupied him exclusively from 1741 till the end of his life, he composed over 40 operas, starting in Hamburg in 1705, then in Italy, and finally in London. Within the restricted forms of the Baroque aria, the music of these operas often attain the pinnacle of dramatic expression, and this is particularly true of the love duets, the main focus of this recording. These duets, most of which were originally sung by the celebrated soprano Cuzzoni and alto castrato Senesino, are brought to passionate life here by the contemporary fiery pair of Suzie LeBlanc and Daniel Taylor. Directed by Stephen Stubbs, Arion supports the singers with flair.