Abbandonata : Handel Italian cantatas

"Sampson is hard put to better the stunning intensity of the disc's second track, Ah! crudele, from the best-known cantata, Armida abbandonata, though the drama of the longer Agrippina condotta a morire runs it close, full of vicious recriminations, as the empress is led to her death, which elide the differences between arias and recitatives with passionate conviction. Strong support from Robert King and the King's Consort, especially leader Kati Debretzeni".

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"What could be more wonderful for lovers of Handel's music and of Carolyn Sampson ... delectable music, delectably sung ... The Vivat recording follows a successful album of Handel oratorio arias from 2014 on which Carolyn Sampson joined Iestyn Davies and the King's Consort ... The Italian cantatas recorded here are a handful of those which he wrote for the entertainment of various patrons during his stay in Rome ... Sampson is superb ... Two very recommendable new releases".

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"Crowe's delectable singing is complemented by fresh, rhythmically buoyant and, where needed, virtuoso playing from the English Concert, who on their own give sparkling performances of three instrumental numbers from that astonishingly fertile Italian sojourn".

"Sampson's credentials as a superb Baroque stylist hardly need stressing. In Tra le fiamme and the rarely heard Figlio d'alte speranze ... she sings with her familiar grace of phrase and ease of coloratura. Crucially, too, she musters a true trill. Beyond this, Sampson subtly caries her naturally limpid tone in response to the dramatic situation ... Here is a disc that can be enthusiastically recommended to Sampson's many admirers and Handel lovers alike".

"Vurdering: Editor's choice" - "Immensely satisfying Handel, well worth the long wait ... Galli sings with intensly dramatic conviction yet never at the expense of poetic style or good taste".