Handel: Streams Of Pleasure - Arias & Duos

GAUVIN; LEMIEUX; IL COMPLESSO BAROCCO; CURTIS

Handel: To thee, thou glorious son of worth (from Theodora) Destructive War, thy limits know (from Belshazzar) Fury with red sparkling eyes (from Alexander Balus, HWV 65) Crystal streams in murmurs flowing: Susanna From this dread scene (Judas Maccabaeus, HWV 63) Streams of Pleasure (from Theodora) As With Rosy Steps (from Theodora) Prophetic raptures swell my breast (from Joseph And His Brethren, HWV 59) Joshua: Oh peerless maid; Our limpid streams Can I see my infant gor'd (from Solomon, HWV 67) Fair virtue shall charm me (from Alexander Balus, HWV 65) Solomon: Welcome as the dawn of day My father! Ah! methinks I see (from Hercules, HWV 60) Theodora, HWV 68: Oh! that I on wings could rise Great victor, at your feet I bow (from Belshazzar)

Juno Nominee 2012 - CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: VOCAL OR CHORAL PERFORMANCE
This much-awaited recording, for which Canadian singers Marie-Nicole Lemieux and Karina Gauvin perform some of the most beautiful arias composed by Handel, showcases outstanding and conniving talent. This project was born from a collaboration with Alan Curtis and his Complesso Barocco, one of the most famous and renowned ensembles in the baroque music field. The 15 arias, performed in solo or in duet, are jewels from nine oratorios that use material from the Bible. They provide a large overview of Handel’s genius to depict each emotion, from tenderness to fury.
The oratorios from which Karina Gauvin and Marie-Nicole Lemieux perform excerpts on Streams of Pleasure were premiered between 1744 and 1750 and are among Handel’s last compositions. Soprano and contralto are joined for this pleasurable collection by internationally acclaimed early music ensemble Il Complesso Barocco under its musical director Alan Curtis. Founded by Alan Curtis in Amsterdam in 1979, Il Complesso Barocco has become a renowned Baroque orchestra with a focus on Italian opera and oratorio of the period. Its rich discography was for a time devoted to the late madrigal repertory, but it has also released an award-winning recording of Rossi’s Primo Libro di Madrigali, as well as a disc of Handel’s arias and duets, Amore e Gelosia with Patrizia Ciofi and Joyce DiDonato. Il Complesso Barocco’s releases of Handel operas include Dmeto, Rodrigo, Arminio, Deidamia, Radamisto, Berenice, Alcina, and Ariodante, several of which have won the ‘International Handel Recording Prize’. Highly regarded contralto Marie-Nicole Lemieux has recorded for numerous labels, and now enjoys an exclusive contract with Naïve, for which she has recorded the title roles in Vivaldi’s operas Griselda and Orlando furioso, and La Fida Ninfa. In recent times she has released a critically acclaimed programme of Vivaldi arias with the Ensemble Matheus under Jean-Christophe Spinosi. Fellow Canadian soprano Karina Gauvin’s has recorded for labels including ATMA, Astrée, and Dorian, and has appeared on Naïve’s recording of Vivaldi’s Tito Manlio as well Handel’s Ezio, Alcina, and Tolomeo with I’l Complesso Barocco for DG and DG Archiv.

Price: $25.98