Johannette Zomer, Bart Schneemann, Musica Amphion – Handel Arias: Love and Madness (2009) [MCH SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC]

Johannette Zomer, Bart Schneemann, Musica Amphion – Handel Arias: Love and Madness (2009) [MCH SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC]
SACD Rip | SACD ISO | DST64 2.0 & 5.0 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 73:14 minutes | Digital Booklet | 3,96 GB
or DSD64 2.0 Stereo (from SACD-ISO to Tracks.dsf) > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | Digital Booklet | 2,88 GB
or FLAC Stereo (converted with foobar2000 to tracks) 24bit/96 kHz | Digital Booklet | 1,51 GB
DSD Recording | Features Stereo and Multichannel Surround Sound | Label: Channel Classics # CCS SA 29209

Handel, a child of his time, was fascinated by the poignant human dramas and emotions exemplified by Greek and Roman classical myths, dramas and poetry. A theatre composer to his very bones, he was remarkably skilled in the portrayal of human psychology. The oboe was an instrument especially beloved by Handel and it is the unifying element in this fascinating anthology of arias and cantatas focusing on themes of love and madness sung by soprano Johannette Zomer. Zomer is accompanied by oboist Bart Schneemann and the ensemble Musica Amphion under direction of Jan-Pieter Belder.Soprano Johannette Zomer, a frequent presence on Channel Classics recordings, begins most impressively with Berenice’s aria, displaying solid, centered tone and confident expressive character in a piece that also requires significant dialog with the oboe–which she and Bart Schneemann execute with engaging charm and remarkable timing. There’s even more drama to come in Medea’s aria from Teseo, “Morirò” (I shall die! But I shall die avenged…), and here Zomer shows her ability to command the opera stage, allowing us without any visual cues to experience the song’s full emotional impact, enlivened by the virtuosic support of the Musica Amphion orchestra. Although Zomer doesn’t shy away from the challenges of Handel’s more fast and florid creations, she’s really at her best in the slower arias–indeed, her “Lascia ch’io pianga” is among the best-ever recorded versions–as are her “Scherza infida!” and “Mi palpita il cor”, which rank with Handel’s most popular and most-frequently performed arias. In the past I’ve had my issues with Zomer’s voice–but I have no such reservations here, especially regarding the exceptionally well-controlled tonal modulations that she uses to great expressive effect, a mastery of technique that wasn’t always present on several of her previous recordings. Zomer and Schneemann (who also contributes a couple of instrumental works to the program) work very well together–two special voices, unique in timbre but united in interpretive style and concept. And the sound is Channel Classics’ usual first-class production. If we’re lucky these two superb musicians will find another good excuse to get together–and Channel Classics will be there to record it.

Tracklist:

01. Chi t’intende?
02. Moriro
03. Ah! Spietato
04. Concerto a quattro
05. Languia di bocca lusinghiera
06. Dolce riposo
07. Io sperai
08. Lascia ch’io pianga
09. Oboe Concerto in G Minor – I. Grave
10. Oboe Concerto in G Minor – II. Allegro
11. Oboe Concerto in G Minor – III. Sarabande
12. Oboe Concerto in G Minor – IV. Allegro
13. Scherza infida
14. Mi palpita il cor
15. Introduzione
16. Caro, vieni a me

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