The New Rinaldo came out today, & I got the first copy out of the box at theTowers I buy from. I also came to the conclusion that I must be an opera queen for planning my entire days schedule around the release of this CD, & my listening to it. It was priced at $53.99 plus tax, but I paid $51 because the guy gave me a small discount. Even though expensive, it was well worth the $$$.
"Rinaldo" George Frideric Handel
Goffredo Bernarda Fink Mezzo Almirena Cecilia Bartoli Mezzo Rinaldo David Daniels Countertenor Eustazio Daniel Taylor Countertenor Argante Gerald Finley Baritone Armida Luba Orgonasova Soprano Mago cristiano Bejun Mehta Countertenor Donna Sirena II Ana Maria Rincon Soprano Sirena I Catherine Bott Soprano Un araldo Mark Padmore Tenor
The Academy of Ancient Music Christopher Hogwood
I'm extremely pleased with my purchase today. On the cover there is a picture of Daniels in a suit of armor clenching his fist with Bartoli beside him. Daniels looks extremely butch with his usual trade mark scruffy face. Bartoli looks very pretty in her silky blue & black costume. Her face also looks like it slimed down some again. Very nice picture. Hogwood & The Academy of Ancient Music (complete with sound effects) do a fantastic job at bringing the score to life. Together they manage to capture ones imagination, & take them to another time & place. I suppose this couldn't have happened if it weren't for the all star cast of singers. This type of combination makes a memorable recording.
The role of Gofferdo was sung by a wonderful mezzo that I have overlooked. I have heard a lot about Bernarda Fink, but I don't think I own a recording with her on it. I will have to browse all of my opera CD's to make sure because this girl is serious. She does a magnificent job in the role of Goffredo. Fink has it all, perfect coloratura, the birdie trills, crisp diction, & fierce chest voice. Besides all of that, she has this exciting tone in her voice that makes you listen. She sang the hell out of "Sorge nel petto". I think I like her timber better than Poodles. Don't get me wrong I love Poodles, but this voice sounds more fresh.
Almirena a soprano role was taken by the Italian Mezzo Cecelia Bartoli. Bartoli was the usual Bartoli, she always sounds great. I was impressed that she didn't seem like she was trying to out sing David during their duets. In one duet at the close, you can actually hear Bartoli slightly adjusting her voice to blend with Daniels. The "Lascia ch'io pianga" started out nice, but nothing unusually special. However when she went into the B part, & then sang the di capo, I was melting. It was filled with so much emotion & anguish; & she did it in the most softest, prettiest, expressive pianissimo that I have ever heard done in this aria. IM sure she brought the house down when she sang this in the tour. I like her in this repertoire. She already showed that she has a good feel for Baroque singing with her Vivaldi CD. I hear that a Cesare is coming out with her singing Cleopatra. I will definitely have to watch for that.
Here Daniels sings a fantastic Rinaldo as I had expected he would. He sounds better & better with each recording. With his trademark coloratura Daniels manages to match the other singers pound for pound. Kudos David!!! I really enjoyed his recitatives & duets with the other singers. I also like that fact that he changed some of the ornaments in the arias that duplicate the ones on his Handel CD. I think I most enjoyed the arias that are new to me. IM sure I will have lots of fun singing them. IM really looking forward to hearing him in this role at City Opera next month. It's going to be a very glorious day for Kenneth Ealy. (=
Daniel Taylor does a nice job in the role of Eustazio. He has a very beautiful & expressive voice. Really nice accurate coloratura. The trill could use a little work, but still decent. The only thing that was missing for me were a was a touch of chest at the bottom of his range. I think it would add more character, & more volume to the bottom of his range. In any event, he gave a solid performance.
Baritone Gerald Finley does a fine job with what he has to sing as Argante. He's got a really good feel for the Baroque Rep. I would imagine that with a heavy voice, this stuff would be tough to sing. However he manages to move his voice around just as fast as the higher ones, & he does it without it affecting his tone.
Luba Orgonasova does a fine job as Armida. I have not heard to much about this women, but she sounds nice in this repertoire. I will keep my eye out for her as well. I love to discover new Baroque singers.
You should have seen the look on my face when I was standing in line at Towers reading the back of the CD; when I saw Bejun Mehta's name in the cast I almost keeled over. I had expected David Walker to be playing the Magician as he did it in that tour they did. In any event, the Magician is a small role. He only gets one aria, but Bejun sure does sing it well. He skips up & down the staff with ease, & generously interpolates his very secure trill. It seems like his trill has gotten better since my other recordings were made. I wish this guy had gotten a bigger role in this. I have feeling that we will hear great things from this singer.
Overall, I think this is a great CD. Well worth the money spent. If anyone is looking for a new good Handel recording, get this, you wont be disappointed.
Best, Kenneth Ealy aspiring countertenor
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