Al Lewis

Following the premiere performance of Handel's opera "Sosarme, re di Media" on 15 February 1732, Viscount Percival remarked that, the work is well received in the city, and quite rightly so, for it is one of the best I have ever heard. The intrigue-laced plot goes back to 14th century historical events, when a dispute about succession broke out between King Dionysius (Denis), his son Alfonso and King Ferdinand IV of Castile. Following the last performance of Sosarme in 1734, the work slumbered for some two hundred years until British composer, conductor and musicologist Anthony Lewis revived Handel's composition in 1954. This recording, featuring the St. Anthony Singers and St. Cecilia Orchestra and conducted by Lewis, vouches for historical authenticity last but not least thanks to an ensemble of singers well-versed in Handel's works, including counter-tenor Alfred Deller and contralto Helen Watts.

Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection
ADM's third solo album, Casino, is the last I'll consider as excellent, although it is clear his future albums will not lack good moments. Indeed, Casino even won some kind of music awards in some mag,.

The first pleasant surprise here is the brightness and clarity of the radio broadcast sound; indeed, it is a bit too bright and harsh but better that than muddiness. There is evidently an audience who applaud at the end but otherwise there is no extraneous noise throughout. Secondly, there is the spring and bounce of the English Chamber Orchestra, alertly directed by Baroque specialist Sir Anthony Lewis. Thirdly we hear a first rate cast of splendid voices headed by Janet Baker, an array of voices unequalled in any of the other nine extant recordings.