their critically acclaimed debut recording Sweet Torment, Favella
Lyrica presents a selection of music from the Italian chamber duets for
voices and continuo by George Frideric Handel. This recording was released
in January of 1997, to rave reviews.As their second recording for KOCH International Classics, following
their critically acclaimed debut recording Sweet Torment, Favella
Lyrica presents a selection of music from the Italian chamber duets for
voices and continuo by George Frideric Handel. This recording was released
in January of 1997, to rave reviews.
The Italian chamber duets of Handel are almost completely unknown, a strange situation for one of the most beloved and best known composers of all time. With the exception of two duets he wrote in London in 1741, from which he later borrowed material to use in Messiah, one hardly ever encounters them on recordings or in performance. Favella Lyrica proposes to remedy this oversight and introduce a spectacular body of literature to the music-loving public. The duets stem from two different periods in Handel's life: an early set, written in the 1710s when he studied in Italy, and a late set, written in the 1740s in London, during the period when Handel was turning from opera to oratorio. They are filled with contrast and excitement: glorious adagios with the melodic genius from the composer of Xerxes, brilliant coloratura passages that display the voice with the canniness of the great operas such as Giulio Cesare, high passion and drama, and light humor and playfulness. Handel himself regarded these works as a treasure trove of musical ideas that he drew upon his entire career for material in some of his best-known works: the astute listener will be astonished to hear tunes that later turn up in Messiah, Alexander's Feast, Belshazzar, Acis and Galatea, and other beloved oratorios. This is music that deserves equal recognition with Handel's other works for chamber ensemble, such as the sonatas, cantatas and Concerti Grossi.
Langue, geme HWV 188
Tanti strali al sen mi scocchi HWV 197
Va, speme infida pur HWV 199
Beato in ver chi può HWV 181
Fronda leggiera e mobile HWV 186
Ahi, nelle sorti umane HWV 179
Quel fior che all'alba ride HWV 192
Nò, di voi non vuo' fidarmi HWV 189
"Among the recordings of [Handel's chamber duets] we have had lately,
this is the best, for both the quality of the performances and the appeal
of the selections. Favella Lyrica has chosen some of the most difficult
and most invogorating, and the two vocalists are up to Handel's demands.
Listen to the lovely interweaving of the voices in the middle of Va,
speme, for instance, and the ease with which they negotiate the rapid
divisions at its start. The soprano has a fresh, sparkling voice; the mezzo,
no less agile, offers slightly warmer tones, to particularly excellent
effect in the second section of Tanti strali. They both sound as
if they are having a wonderful time, and so do their instrumental accompanists.
The simple competence and unaffected joyousness of the performances are
most refreshing. This was one of those discs I intended to sample in small
doses, but once I started listening, I couldn't stop...Recommended."
Fanfare May/June 1997
"Pamela Murray and Pamela Dellal are both accomplished singers,
well able to tackle the divisions cleanly. Murray has a good ring to her
soprano, and plenty of brightness and weight; Dellal, who sings as both
soprano and alto, offers a pleasantly full and mellow lower and middle
register but also tackles notes above the stave surely."
Gramophone, November 1997
"Favella Lyrica acquits itself very well: Dellal and Murray sing
gracefully and harmoniously...Don't suppose that you've heard all of Handel
that's worth hearing until you've heard Blind Love, Cruel Beauty."
Boston Early Music News, April 1997
"simple elegance...they work their supple, seductive magic on eight
duets by Handel...if you haven't yet been thoroughly enchanted by Favella
Lyrica, buy this CD now and you will be. A must."
The TAB, March 1997
"fine voices, good technique, and a comfortable sense of style...they
deliver a program that is...quite attractive in its own terms. Handelians
will not want to miss this release."
American Record Guide
"the performances...display high technical accomplishment...[the
duets] can...be savoured enjoyably in these interpretations."
Early Music Review (U.K.)