COMPOSERS: Handel
LABELS: ATMA Classique
WORKS: Arias from Samson; Hercules; Rinaldo; Messiah; Semele; Alexander Balus; Jephtha; Athalia; Concerto Grosso Op. 6 No. 4; Solomon; L’allegro, il penseroso ed il moderato
PERFORMER: Karina Gauvin; Tempo Rubato/Alexander Weimann
CATALOGUE NO: ACD22589
Karina Gauvin’s greedy haul of Handel’s greatest hits is altogether more conventional, though smartly accompanied by harpsichordist Alexander Weimann and Tempo Rubato. Flautist Grégoire Jeay’s obbligato in ‘Sweet bird that shun’st the noise of folly’ (L’Allegro) is delectable, while Gauvin’s impeccable coloratura and sharp-sweet-creamy raspberry ripple soprano fit this aria like a designer glove. Anna Picard