麻豆社

Martin Handley introduces a recital recorded last week at Kings Place, London, featuring countertenor Iestyn Davies, accompanied by The English Concert under Peter Whelan, in a cornucopia of pieces composed for Handel鈥檚 London altos, both castrati and female singers. The repertoire is a journey through the composer's different London venues: opera theatres, churches and private houses, where he enjoyed enormous success. Davies includes arias from operas such as Giulio Cesare and Alcina, as well as music from oratorios like Theodora, anthems, pastorals and cantatas, all mixed with Handel鈥檚 orchestral dances and sinfonias.

G.F. Handel:
Concerto from Act 1, Ottone
鈥楶resti Omai鈥�, from Giulio Cesare
鈥楶ompe vane di morte鈥欌�︹�橠ove Sei?鈥�, from Rodelinda
Entr茅e des songes agr茅ables, from Alcina
Entr茅e des songes funestes, from Alcina
Entr茅e des songes agr茅ables effray茅s, from Alcina
Le combat des songes funestes et agr茅ables, from Alcina
'Sorge nel petto', from Rinaldo
Partenope, Act 3 Sinfonia
鈥楽plenda l鈥檃lba in oriente' - Italian cantanta No. 5
Sonata Op.5 No 4 in G Major, HWV399
Ariodante, Act 2, opening Sinfonia
'Se in fiorito', from Giulio Cesare
Serse, Act 3 sinfonia, No.34
'I Will Magnify Thee', HWV 250b

Iestyn Davies, countertenor
The English Concert
Peter Whelan, conductor

Photo by Ben Ealovega