Handel Rinaldo

Nicolo »Nicolini« Grimaldi (1673-1732) war der »primo uomo assoluto«, der unangefochtene »erste Kastrat« auf allen großen Opernbühnen seiner Zeit. Seine Stimme war in ihrem Umfang und Klang so einzigartig, dass große Komponisten wie Händel und Scarlatti Arien extra für ihn komponierten. Schon mit 13 Jahren hatte er in Neapel seine ersten Erfolge gefeiert – u. a. in einer Oper seines »Entdeckers« Scarlatti. Und so erfolgreich ging es für Nicolini weiter: 1699 debütierte er in Rom, 1700 in Venedig und betrat erstmals 1708 auf Geheiß des Earl of Manchester englischen Boden. Hier lernte er Händel kennen, mit dem er dann 1711 bei der Uraufführung der Oper Rinaldo in der gleichnamigen Titelrolle die Zuhörer begeisterte.

After their acclaimed recording of Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice, La Nuova Musica and David Bates expand their PENTATONE discography with Handel’s Unsung Heroes, in which the instrumentalists of Handel’s operas are put centre stage. Traditionally restricted to an “invisible” existence in the orchestra pit, La Nuova Musica’s obbligato instrumentalists – violinist Thomas Gould, oboist Leo Duarte and bassoonist Joe Qiu – are now in the limelight. They will stand as equal partners alongside a world-class line up of soloists – soprano Lucy Crowe, mezzo-soprano Christine Rice and countertenor Iestyn Davies – showing how Handel wrote music as virtuosic and lyrical for his unsung heroes as for their singing counterparts. The album includes arias from Handel masterpieces such as Rinaldo, Giulio Cesare, Agrippina and Ariodante.

Das renommierte Berliner Barockensemble Lautten Compagney feiert 2009 sein 25-jähriges Bestehen. Mit seinem neuesten Programm "Handel With Care" feiert es aber vor allem den großen Komponisten Georg Friedrich Händel anlässlich dessen 250. Todesjahres. Viele Melodien aus Händels Arien und Chören waren bereits zu Lebzeiten des Komponisten regelrechte Schlager. Wolfgang Katschner, der 2004 mit dem Händelpreis ausgezeichnet wurde und seine Lautten Compagney haben unter dem Motto "Instrumente singen" für "Handel With Care" ihre Lieblingsarien aus Opern und Oratorien wie "Rinaldo", "Tamerlano", "Samson" u.v.a. für Soloinstrumente und wechselnde Instrumentalbesetzung neu arrangiert.

Handel, Scarlatti, Corelli, Stradella, Muffat … From 1650 to the beginning of the eighteenth century, Rome exercised an immense power in attracting composers from all over Europe and experienced an intense moment of musical activity, because of - or in spite of - the papal administration. It was a prosperous period with a melting pot of influences. The programme devised here by the Roman conductor, Rinaldo Alessandrini, offers a complete and personal vision of the time, passionate and secular, lyrical (made sublime by Sandrine Piau) and orchestral, romantic in every way. Rinaldo Alessandrini is one of the leading figures in the international early music scene.

Baroque Masterpieces - collection of Baroque music in the best performance in the company Sony BMG DHM Artenova. One of the best collections of Baroque music! The greatest works - the legendary performance! Baroque music is a style of European classical music in the period from about 1600 to 1750. The Baroque era follows the Renaissance and the Classical period precedes. The main in this music was an expression of emotions. Baroque music - this violence and ecstasy, in contrast to the confidence and independence of the Renaissance.

London-based early music group L'Avventura announces the launch of their debut CD, a unique collection of previously unrecorded music by Handel. Fighting the deluge of re-recordings and re-issued CDs in this Handel anniversary year, Opella Nova Records is pleased to present a new group with a completely different take on the venerated composer. The playful, eminently-listenable Handel in the Playhouse is the debut album of new early music ensemble L'Avventura London, directed by Zak Ozmo, and is based on new musicological research. Consisting mainly of previously unheard English playhouse music composed by Handel, the recording is perfectly timed to coincide with the anniversary of the composer's death.

…impressive three-octave range…hugely resonant and heroic low tones, smoky middle, brilliant top…astonishing flexibility… this recital reveals her dazzling outrageous and personalized approach to Handel, and it is stunning. The first two tracks alone demonstrate mastery of every vocal, theatrical and musical technique demanded by this repertoire…. This is the stuff eighteenth-century writers used to rave about… Such artistic integrity and completeness set Podles apart… Seat belts suggested.

The great Australian countertenor, Graham Pushee with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra directed by Paul Dyer, stuns us all in this program of favorite arias by Handel.