Advantages: Fleming is sublime, well sung throughout Disadvantages: Live recording is slightly noticeable in places
Despite being one of the most prolific composers of opera and very successful in his own time, Handel operas have remained largely neglected in the operatic repertoire until fairly recently with the Handel revival that began in the '60s. Because of this, if you're looking for recordings of Handel operas there are often not too many to choose from and to my knowledge there are only 3 recordings available of Alcina: one with Joan Sutherland in the title role, one with Renee Fleming, and one with Arleen Auger. I am eagerly awaiting the release this month of another recording with Joyce DiDonato in the title role - possibly an unorthodox choice as a mezzo soprano, but one of my favourite singers.
Alcina tells the story of a sorceress (Alcina herself) who seduces every man who dares to set foot on her island. However, Alcina is fickle ...
bubblegum_princess 30.03.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Handel: Alcina
Advantages: Wonderful transcriptions of JS Bach's majestic music; sensitive, tender, vivacious, effortless and fluid playing. Disadvantages: Nil.
plans to return to the USA. Ms Balsom has already had her US debut, performing just this January 2006 with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (Milwaukee? Not New York City and Carnegie Hall? How did they get to be so lucky in Wisconsin! Methinks Ms Balsom needs a better agent/promoter, no?!).
FINAL VERDICT: I give this disc an unqualified, insanely enthusiastic recommendation with all thumbs and great toes up, for all lovers of Bach and/or the trumpet. Total, absolute must-have recording.
[For more complete background info on Alison Balsom, please scroll down the page to the BBC Radio 3 article.]
CD DETAILS:
BACH: WORKS FOR TRUMPET
Alison Balsom
EMI Classics
5 58047 2 (CD) / 5 58047 5
Concerto in D Major (after Vivaldi) BWV 972:
1 Allegro
2 Adagio
3 Allegro Assai
4 Sarabande (from Cello Suite No.2 BWV ...
Advantages: Reassures and comforts me! Disadvantages: Taste, might not work for everyone
♣Doubting the miracle♣
It was around this time last year that my airplane phobia increased to an intolerable level. We were visiting my boyfriend?s family for Christmas ? and I simply could not face the plane journey back. His mother kindly told me that I needed to ?snap out of it? and handed me a little yellow box with Bach?s Rescue Remedy. I eyed it suspiciously. I never believed in such herbal miracles. But I took the box and sitting at the airport, I remember taking quite a bit of this product to calm my nerves. I honestly do not remember if it worked at the time, but I did make it back home somehow ? didn?t I? The bottle then disappeared in a draw, not to be remembered until ?
? I next encountered the Rescue Remedy when I left my somewhat quiet job for a hectic city job. A colleague handed me a leaving present in ...
