Handel: Opera Viva

Caihuela, Lucía, L’Apothéose

IBS 222024

This recording presents a selection of arias and instrumental pieces taken from Händel’s operas, from the early Agrippina (1709) to the late Imeneo (1740), including also an example from the mythological oratorio Hercules (1745).

Among the excellent arias that can be listened to is «Svegliatevi nel core» from Giulio Cesare in Egitto, an opera that premiered to great acclaim in February 1724 at the King’s Theatre and is now part of the core of the baroque opera canon.

Another notable aria is «Cease ruler of the day» from Hercules, a mythological oratorio premiered at the King’s Theatre in January 1745.

The aria «Scherza infida» from Ariodante has also been chosen, an opera premiered at the Covent Garden Theater in January 1735.

From the opera Orlando, premiered in January 1733 at the King’s Theatre, the extraordinary scene of Orlando’s madness was chosen, a role originally played by the famous castrato Senesino.

The last aria selected for the CD is «Ombra cara di mia sposa» from Radamisto, the first opera that Handel composed for the Royal Academy of Music, premiered at the King’s Theatre in April 1720.

Works:

•Handel: Agrippina, HWV 6: SinfoniaHandel: Ariodante, HWV 33: Scherza infida
•Handel: Rinaldo, HWV 7: Venti, turbini
•Handel: Hercules, HWV 60: Cease, ruler of the day, to rise
•Handel: Imeneo, HWV 41: Overture
•Handel: Orlando, HWV 31: Ah, Stigie larve!
•Handel: Rodelinda (excepts)
•Handel: Radamisto, HWV 12: Ombra cara di mia sposa
•Handel: Amadigi di Gaula, HWV 11: Ah! spietato!
•Handel: Giulio Cesare in Egitto, HWV 17: Svegliatevi nel core

CD x 1

IBS Classical

3/4/25

8436597700924