Catalogue

Summary:

“Weaving together the familiar and unfamiliar, this is a collection of real light and shade, all done with awe-inspiring power and characterisation” – Gramophone

“The great American mezzo, who died aged just 52 in 2006, was one of the most eloquent Handel interpreters of her time; this disc centres on the dramatic cantata La Lucrezia and generous excerpts from her most celebrated role, Irene in Theodora.” – Presto Music

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The late Lorraine Hunt Lieberson was one of the finest artists of our time. A sensuous and noble singer, the intensity of her interpretations, particularly in Baroque roles, was supreme. Critics worldwide have grasped for superlatives to describe her art. This album captured Lorraine’s unanimously acclaimed portrayal of Irene in Handel’s oratorio Theodora – “one of the most vocally beautiful and dramatically committed characterizations imaginable” according to The Independent on Sunday – which she sang at Glyndebourne, supported by the same forces as here, Harry Bicket and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. The hybrid SACD technology enhances all the vividness and beauty of Lorraine’s exceptional voice. Coupled with arias from Serse, including the evergreen Ombra mai fù, and the cantata La Lucrezia, this album is one of the great classical releases of our time.

Grammy Nominee

Tracklist:

GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL (1685–1759)

Theodora
1. Recit Ah! Whither should we fly, or fly from whom? (0:49)
2. Aria As with rosy steps the morn (8:19)
3. Recit O bright example of all goodness! (0:31)
4. Aria Bane of virtue, nurse of passions (6:11)
5. Recit The clouds begin to veil the hemisphere (0:48)
6. Aria Defend her Heav’n! (5:38)
7. Aria Lord, to Thee each night and day (6:06)
8. Recit She’s gone, disdaining liberty and life (0:49)
9. Aria New scenes of joy (5:35)

La Lucrezia – Cantata
10. Recit O Numi eterni! O stelle, stelle! (1:12)
11. Aria Già superbo, del mio affano (5:33)
12. Recit Ma voi forse nel cielo (1:04)
13. Aria Il suol che preme, l’aura che spira (3:40)
14. Recit Ah! che ancor nell’abisso (1:45)
15. Aria Alla salma infedel porga la pena (4:08)
16. Recit A voi, a voi, padre, consorte (1:24)
17. Arioso Già nel seno comincia a compir (2:05)

Serse
18. Aria Se bramate d’amar, chi vi sdegna (6:39)
19. Recit Frondi tenere e belle (0:45)
20. Aria Ombra mai fù (3:09)

Total time: 67:01

Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, mezzo-soprano
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Harry Bickett, conductor, harpsichord and chamber organ

Performers in La Lucrezia:
Harry Bickett, harpsichord and chamber organ
Stephen Stubbs, lute and baroque guitar
Phoebe Carrai, cello
Margriet Tindemans, viola da gamba

1–9, 18–20 Recorded 24 and 26 August 2003, Blackheath Halls, London
10–17 Recorded 18 – 21 March 2004, Concert Hall of the King Center at the Auraria Higher Education Center, Denver, Colorado
Producer: Nicholas Parker. Engineer and SACD Mastering: Everett Porter (Polyhymnia International)

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