Handel: The Cuckoo and the Nightingale: Orchestral Works

Too hot to Handel!

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 · Read full review
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Review of Handel: Alcina

It Works for me....sometimes....!

Advantages: Cheap. Good for buying presents.
Disadvantages: Sell a lot of titles you've never heard of....

The Works is a discount bookstore which can be found on many high streets. I have browsed around a fair few discount bookstores, but have always found this store to be the best in it?s class. Overall, I tend to find that a lot of discount bookstores sell a lot of uninteresting titles, & books you?ve never heard of. The Works does also fall into this category, but seems to also sell more bestsellers than other stores (often current ones at that), covering a wide range of authors. Books are laid out according to genre & are for the most part stacked on shelves with the cover facing forwards, so that you can see at a glance what titles are in stock. The more popular fiction & bestsellers are laid out on tables at the front of the store, with reference books & childrens books being on shelves running down the sides & back of the store ...

sambam000 13.07.2009 · Read full review
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Review of The Works

Across the nightingale floor, Review.

Advantages: Perfect story line, beautifully written, well detailed, well structered in everyway.
Disadvantages: Story may be a bit long for some readers.

I own this book (not the audio version) and now own every book by Lian Hearn. There are 5 books in this series. A prequel, the triliogy (this being the first of the trilogy) then an ending book. All of them work together to create something magical. These books are set in ancient Japan and gives the readers the chance to believe in something magical, something wonderful, something that is maybe not so possible. This book in particular starts off with Tomasu, a boy of the Hidden. He was born into a loving community of farmers who worship their own God. They are Hidden away from normal towns and communities because their beliefs are held in negative view. They are a peaceful people. One day Tomasu's life is turned upside down when everything and everyone he has ever known is killed and destroyed. He is rescued by a stranger. And so ...

Wyldchyld 05.08.2008 · Read full review
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Review of Across the Nightingale Floor - Lian Hearn