Joan Sutherland, Nicola Rescigno, Orchestra del Teatro de la Fenice - George Frideric Handel: Alcina (1997)
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue & Log) ~ 291 Mb | Total time: 74:29+62:21 | Scans included
Classical | Label: Bella Voce Records | # BLV 107.220 | Recorded: 1960
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue & Log) ~ 291 Mb | Total time: 74:29+62:21 | Scans included
Classical | Label: Bella Voce Records | # BLV 107.220 | Recorded: 1960
This set is what early music or baroque opera purists might call politically incorrect. The orchestra at Venice's La Fenice is too big, the playing is Romantic, with plenty of rubato and not crisp, and very few of the singers get through the music as Handel wrote it or embellish it the way he wished. But it does feature Joan Sutherland at her most amazing. Her huge voice, pure tone, impeccable technique, seamless legato, and glorious ease are the definition of bel canto. While this two-CD release is not ideal, it does present Alcina in much of its loveliness.