Furling Meg Baird

Every time you think you have heard the last word on George Frideric Handel's stature as an opera composer, along comes another previously unheard masterpiece. The latest is the first recording of "Ezio", a three-act opera seria dealing with capricious tyranny, military bravery and true love facing difficulties in ancient Rome. Old-fashioned even in 1732, "Ezio" was a flop, closing after five performances, and was not heard again until this century. But the arias are wonderful, particularly in this recording, which features some of America's finest young baroque specialists, headed by soprano Julianne Baird and mezzo-soprano D'Anna Fortunato, with Richard Auldon Clark conducting the Manhattan Chamber Orchestra and the Magic Circle Opera Chorus in a bright, well-styled performance. Anyone who loves baroque vocal music should hear this. Historic Performances.

Muzio Scevola ("Mucius Scaevola", HWV 13) is an opera seria in three acts about Gaius Mucius Scaevola. The Italian-language libretto was by Paolo Antonio Rolli, adapted from a text by Silvio Stampiglia. The music for the first act was composed by Filippo Amadei, the second act by Giovanni Bononcini, and the third by George Frideric Handel. Collaborations of groups of composers were common in the 18th century, though this is the only one done in London. Bononcini had written the music for two earlier treatments of this story on his own, works dating from 1695 and 1710. The opera's initial run of performances began at the King's Theatre in London on 15 April 1721. A part of the second act and the third part composed by Händel is documented on the production of new port Classic being here.

Baroque conductor Johannes Somary directs a distinguished cast led by John Aler, Julianne Baird, countertenor Drew Minter, D’Anna Fortunata, Jennifer Lane, Nathaniel Watson, Raymond Pellerin and the Armor Artis Orchestra. A tale of violent court intrigue civil strife, frustrated love, ambition and suicide.

This biblical story, with its historical references to specific cities, generals and kings, is accepted as canon by Roman Catholic theologians, although it doesn t appear in either Hebrew or Protestant scriptures. The Book of Judith is set in the time of the mighty Assyrian ruler Nebuchadnezzar, King of Nineveh. Seeking to expand his empire, the king sends armies, led by General Holofernes (Oloferne), to subdue neighboring kingdoms, all of whom surrender under his powerful forces. The only ones who refuse to capitulate are the Israelites, who cordon off their mountain passes and gather provisions to resist a siege. Instead of a massacre, Holofernes discovers and commandeers their water sources.

Classically trained composer-synthesist Meg Bowles has been well known for her ambient orchestral soundscapes for over 20 years.
Deep space drifts and rich harmonic textures reflect the timeless, ritual spaces of evening, a tribute to planet Earth.