Composer: George Frideric Handel
Performer: English Baroque Soloists, Norma Burrowes, Della Jones, Anthony Rolfe-Johnson, Timothy Penrose, Robert Lloyd, Maldwyn Davies, Patrizia Kwella, Catherine Denley, David Thomas, Elisabeth Priday
Orchestra: Monteverdi Orchestra, Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra
Conductor: Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Ton Koopman
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Warner
Catalogue: 2564696118
Release: 2008
Size: 1.91 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
Semele, HWV 58
01. Overture to Act 1
02. Act 1: “Behold! Auspicious flashes rise” (Priest)
03. Act 1: “Lucky omens bless our rites” (Chorus) “Daughter obey” (Cadmus, Athamas)
04. Act 1: “Ah me! What refuge now is left me?” “O Jove! in pity teach me which to choose” (Semele) “Alas, she yields” (Ino, Athamas)
05. Act 1: “Why dost thou untimely grieve” (Cadmus, Ino, Athamas, Semele)
06. Act 1: “Avert these omens, all ye pow’rs!” (Chorus) “Again auspicious flashes rise” (Cadmus) “Thy aid, pronubial Juno” (Athamas, Semele)
07. Act 1: “Cease, cease your vows” (Chorus)
08. Act 1: “Oh Athamas; what torture hast thou borne!” (Athamas) “Turn, hopeless lover” (Ino) “Ah me, what have I heard!” (Athamas)
09. Act 1: “You’ve undone me” (Ino, Athamas)
10. Act 1: “Ah, wretched prince” (Cadmus, Athamas) “Wing’d with our fears” (Cadmus)
11. Act 1: “See, see! Jove’s Priests and holy Augurs come” (Cadmus) “Hail Cadmus, hail!” (Chorus)
12. Act 1: “Endless pleasure” (Semele)
13. Act 1: “Endless pleasure” (Chorus)
14. Act 2: Symphony “Iris, impatient of thy stay” (Juno, Iris)
15. Act 2: “Look, where Cithaeron proudly stands” (Iris) “There, from mortal cares retiring” (Iris) “No more!” (Juno) “Awake Saturnia from thy lethargy” (Juno, Iris)
16. Act 2: “Hence, Iris, hence away!” (Juno)
17. Act 2: “Come, Zephyrs, come” (Cupid) “O sleep, why dost thou leave me?” (Semele)
18. Act 2: “Let me not another moment” (Semele)
19. Act 2: “Lay your doubts and fears aside” “You are mortal” (Jupiter)
20. Act 2: “With fond desiring” (Semele)
21. Act 2: “How engaging, how endearing” (Chorus) “Ah me! Why sighs my Semele?” (Semele, Jupiter)
22. Act 2: “Too well I read her meaning” (Jupiter) “I must with speed amuse her” (Jupiter)
23. Act 2: “Now Love” (Chorus)
24Semele, HW 58, Act 2: “By my command” (Jupiter, Semele)
25. Act 2: “See, she appears” (Jupiter) “Where’er you walk” (Jupiter)
26. Act 2: “Dear sister, how was your journey hither?” (Semele, Ino) “But hark! the heav’nly sphere turns round” (Ino)
27. Act 2: “Prepare then, ye immortal choir” (Semele, Ino)
28. Act 2: “Bless the glad earth” (Chorus)
29. Act 3: Symphony “Somnus, awake!” (Juno, Iris)
30. Act 3: “Leave me, loathsome light!” (Somnus) “Dull God, canst thou attend the water’s fall” (Iris, Juno)
31. Act 3: “More sweet is that name” (Somnus) “My will obey, she shall be thine” (Juno, Somnus)
32. Act 3: “Obey my will” (Juno, Somnus)
33. Act 3: “My racking thoughts” (Semele)
34. Act 3: “Thus shap’d like Ino” (Juno, Semele)
35. Act 3: “O ecstasy of happiness!” (Semele) “Myself I shall adore” (Semele) “Be wise, as you are beautiful” (Juno, Semele)
36. Act 3: “Conjure him by his oath” (Juno)
37. Act 3: “Thus let my thanks be pay’d” (Semele) “Rich odours fill the fragrant air” (Semele, Juno)
38. Act 3: “Come to my arms” (Jupiter) “Oh Semele! Why art thou thus insensible?” (Jupiter)
39. Act 3: “I ever am granting” (Semele),…”Then cast off this human shape” (Semele)
40. Act 3: “Ah, take heed what you press!” (Jupiter)
41. Act 3: “No, no, I’ll take no less” (Semele)
42. Act 3: “Ah, whither is she gone!” (Jupiter)
43. Act 3: “Above measure is the pleasure” (Juno)
44. Act 3: “Ah, me! too late I now repent” (Semele)
45. Act 3: “If my ill-boding dream” (Ino) “Oh terror and astonishment!…” (Chorus) “Nature to each allots his proper sphere” (Chorus)
46. Act 3: “See from above the bellying clouds descend” (Cadmus) Sinfonia “Apollo comes to relieve your care” (Apollo)
47. Act 3: “Happy, happy shall we be” (Chorus)
Israel in Egypt, HWV 54
48. Overture: “Lamentations of the Israelites for the death of Joseph”
49. Exodus: “Now there arose” (Tenor)
50. Exodus: “And the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage” (Counter-Tenor, Chorus)
51. Exodus: “Then sent He Moses” (Tenor)
52. Exodus: “They loathed to drink” (Chorus)
53. Exodus: “Their land brought” (Counter-Tenor)
54. Exodus: “He spake the word” (Chorus)
55. Exodus: “He gave them hailstones” (Chorus)
56. Exodus: “He sent a thick darkness” (Chorus)
57. Exodus: “He smote all the first-born” (Chorus)
58. Exodus: “But as for His people” (Chorus)
59. Exodus: “Egypt was glad” (Chorus)
60. Exodus: “He rebuked the Red Sea” (Chorus)
61. Exodus: “He led them” (Chorus)
62. Exodus: “But the waters” (Chorus)
63. Exodus: “And Israel saw” (Chorus)
64. Exodus: “And believed the Lord” (Chorus)
65. Moses’ song: “Moses, and the children” (Chorus)
66. Moses’ song: “I will sing” (Chorus)
67. Moses’ song: “The Lord is my strength” (Sopranos)
68. Moses’ song: “He is my God” (Chorus)
69. Moses’ song “And I will exalt him” (Chorus)
70. Moses’ song: “The Lord is a man of war” (Basses)
71. Moses’ song: “The depths have covered them” (Chorus)
72. Moses’ song: “Thy right hand” (Chorus)
73. Moses’ song: “And in the greatness” (Chorus)
74. Moses’ song: “Thou sentest forth” (Chorus)
75. Moses’ song: “And with the blast” (Chorus)
76. Moses’ song: “The enemy said” (Tenor)
77. Moses’ song: “Thou didst blow” (Soprano)
78. Moses’ song: “Who is like unto Thee” (Chorus)
79. Moses’ song: “The earth swallowed them” (Chorus)
80. Moses’ song: “Thou in thy mercy” (Counter-Tenor, Tenor)
81. Moses’ song: “The people shall hear” (Chorus)
82. Moses’ song: “Thou shalt bring” (Counter-Tenor)
83. Moses’ song: “The Lord shall reign” (Chorus)
84. Moses’ song: “For the horse of Pharoah” (Tenor)
85. Moses’ song: “The Lord shall reign” (Chorus)
86. Moses’ song: “And Miriam the prophetess” (Tenor)
87. Moses’ song: “Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriusly! The Lord shall reign…” (Soprano, Chorus)
The Ways of Zion do Mourn, HWV 264
88. I Sinfonia
89. II. The ways of Zion do Mourn
90. III “How are the mighty fall’n” (Chorus)
91. IV “She put on righteousness” (Chorus)
92. “When the ear heard her”
93. VI “How are the mighty fall’n!” (Chorus)
94. VII “She deliver’d the poor that cried” (Chorus)
95. VIII “How are the mighty fall’n!” (Chorus)
96. “The righteous shall be had in everlasting”
97. X “Their bodies are buried in peace” (Chorus)
98. XI “The people will tell of their wisdom” (Chorus)
99. XII “They shall receive a glorious kingdom” (Chorus, Bass, Counter-Tenor, Tenor, Soprano)
100. XIII “The merciful goodness of the Lord endureth forever” (Chorus)
101. Coronation Anthem No. 1, “Zadok the Priest”, HWV 258
La resurrezione, HWV 47
102. Part 1: Sonata
103. Part 1: “Disserratevi, o porte d’Averno” (Angelo)
104. Part 1: “Qual’insolita luce” (Lucifero)
105. Part 1: “Caddi, è ver, ma nel cadere” (Lucifero)
106. Part 1: “Ma che veggio?” (Lucifero, Angelo)
107. Part 1: “Chi sei? Chi è questo re” (Lucifero, Angelo)
108. Part 1: “D’amor fu consiglio” (Angelo)
109. Part 1: “E ben, questo tuo Nume” (Lucifero, Angelo)
110. Part 1: “O voi, dell’Erebo” (Lucifero)
111. Part 1: “Notte, notte funesta” (Maddalena)
112. Part 1: “Ferma l’ali, e su miei lumi” (Maddalena)
113. Part 1: “Concedi, o Maddalena” (Maddalena, Cleofe)
114. Part 1: “Piangete, sì, piangete” (Cleofe)
115. Part 1: “Ahi, dolce mio Signore” (Maddalena, Cleofe)
116. Part 1: “Dolci chiodi, amate spine” (Maddalena, Cleofe)
117. Part 1: “O Cleofe, o Maddalena” (San Giovanni, Maddalena)
118. Part 1: “Quando è parto dell’affetto” (San Giovanni)
119. Part 1: “Ma dinne, e sarà vero” (Cleofe, San Giovanni, Maddalena)
120. Part 1: “Naufragando va per l’onde” (Cleofe)
121. Part 1: “Itene pure, o fide amiche donne” (San Giovanni, Maddalena)
122. Part 1: “Così la tortorella” (San Giovanni)
123. Part 1: “Se Maria dunque spera” (Maddalena)
124. Part 1: “Ho un non so che nel cor” (Maddalena)
125. Part 1: “Uscite pure, uscite” (Angelo)
126. Part 1: “Il Nume vincitor” (Angelo, Chorus)
127. Part 2: Introduction
128. Part 2: “Di quai nuovi portenti” (San Giovanni)
129. Part 2: “Ecco il sol, ch’esce dal mare” (San Giovanni)
130. Part 2: “Ma ove Maria dimora” (San Giovanni)
131. Part 2: “Risorga il mondo” (Angelo)
132. Part 2: “Di rabbia indarno freme” (Angelo)
133. Part 2: “Misero! ho pure udito?” (Lucifero, Angelo)
134. Part 2: “Per celare il nuovo scorno” (Lucifero)
135. Part 2: “Oh come cieco il tuo furor delira!” (Angelo)
136. Part 2: “Impedirlo io saprò” (Lucifero, Angelo)
137. Part 2: “Amica, troppo tardo” (Maddalena, Cleofe)
138. Part 2: “Per me già di morire” (Maddalena)
139. Part 2: “Ahi, abborrito nome!” (Lucifero)
140. Part 2: “Vedo il Ciel che più sereno” (Cleofe)
141. Part 2: “Cleofe, siam giunte al luogo” (Maddalena, Cleofe, Angelo)
142. Part 2: “Se per colpa di donna infelice” (Angelo)
143. Part 2: “Mio Gesù, mio Signore” (Maddalena)
144. Part 2: “Del ciglio dolente” (Maddalena)
145. Part 2: “Sì, sì, cerchiamo pure” (Cleofe)
146. Part 2: “Augelletti, ruscelletti” (Cleofe)
147. Part 2: “Dove sì frettolosi” (San Giovanni, Cleofe)
148. Part 2: “Caro Figlio!” (San Giovanni)
149. Part 2: “Cleofe, Giovanni, udite” (Maddalena, San Giovanni, Cleofe)
150. Part 2: “Se impassibile, immortale” (Maddalena)
151. Part 2: “Sì, sì, col Redentore” (San Giovanni, Cleofe, Maddalena)
152. Part 2: “Diasi lode in Cielo, in terra” (Chorus)
Dixit Dominus HWV232
153. I. Dixit Dominus, Domino meo
154. II. Virgam virtutis tuae [Counter-Tenor]
155. III. Tecum principium in die virtutis [Soprano]
156. IV. Juravit Dominus [Chorus]
157. V. Tu es sacerdos in aeternum [Chorus]
158. VI. Dominus a dextris tuis
159. VII. De torrente in via bibet
160. VIII. Gloria Patri, et Filio [Chorus]
For opera fans, the major attraction in this six-disc set dedicated to the works of Handel will likely be the 1981 recording of his English-language opera Semele, with John Eliot Gardiner leading a strong cast of singers. While there may have been more compelling Semeles than Norma Burrowes (whose interpretation is nevertheless very sensitive), the remainder of the cast is consistently excellent, especially Anthony Rolfe Johnson’s commanding portrayal of Jupiter. For oratorio fans, the attractions will likely be the three-part oratorio Israel in Egypt, the funeral anthem The Ways of Zion do Mourn, and the coronation anthem Zadok the Priest, all with Gardiner leading the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra in performances of great weight and seriousness, recorded between 1976 and 1978. The concluding two discs include an angular but expressive 1990 account of Handel’s early Italian oratorio La Resurrezione, with Ton Koopman and the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, as well as a muscular performance of the Dixit Dominus from 1977, with Gardiner and the Monteverdi forces. The earlier stereo Gardiner choral recordings sound heavier and fuller than the more vivid recording of Semele, but they all sound dowdy compared with the light and air-filled digital recording of La Resurrezione. The set should be of strong interest to dedicated Handel fans.