In the best parts of these performances - those mentioned by Tom Lawrence, but I would definitely add to his list "Where shall I fly" - Lorraine's flame burns fully as intensely and penetratingly as on her great Handel recording with Harry Bicket. (In case anyone still doesn't know, Lorraine's two recordings with William Christie are at that level, too.) Hard to find words for Lorraine. No wonder she made her husband think of Rilke: Words still softly give way before the unsayable . . .
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A good memento of the singer:
The centerpiece of this CD is a recital of selections from Handel's opera Hercules. The late Lorraine Hunt Lieberson sings Dejanira's recitatives and arias, following a path from passion and jealousy into madness. This program is bookended by two alto arias from Bach cantatas. While the Bach solos are musically more to my liking, the Handel material does well to showcase the mezzo-soprano's talent. For me there are three highlights to this disc. - Track 1: "Kommt ihr angefochten Sünder" from... more info
almost perfect:
In the August 2008 BBC Music Magazine, George Hall gave this disc four out of five stars. He didn't like some of Lorraine's fast passage work and found that conductor Craig Smith lacked impetus. Hmm. Not me. These are magically relaxed performances where soloist and chamber orchestra are almost literally singing to and with each other. There's something special going on here. And Lorraine Hunt Lieberson sounds completely in control of what she's doing. I don't think you'll be disappointed. If only there had... more info
Their Artistry Is Their Legacy:
As a Boston resident from 1985-1994, I attended numerous Emmanuel Music events ranging from the Sellars production of Handel's "Giulio Cesare" (brought to Boston by Sarah Caldwell & the Opera Company of Boston) to several of the weekly Bach Cantatas that they performed Sundays at the Emmanuel Church services. I even returned to Boston once to specifically hear the ensemble's performance of Handel's "Solomon." Emmanuel Music, under the directorship of its founder Craig Smith, never made much of a... more info
Tracks:
Kommt ihr angefochtnen Sünder
Act 1. Scene 1. O Hercules! Why art thou absent from me?
Act 1. Scene 1. The world when day's career is run
Act 1. Scene 2. Then I am lost! O dreadful oracle!
Act 1. Scene 2. Then in myrtle shades reclined
Act 1. Scene 3. Ye lying omens, hence!
Act 1. Scene 3. Begone, my fears, fly, hence, away
Act 2. Scene 2. It must be so! fame speaks aloud my wrongs
Act 2. Scene 2. When beauty sorrow's liv'ry wears
Act 2. Scene 5. O glorious pattern of heroic deeds!
Act 2. Scene 5. Resign thy club and lion's spoils
Act 2. Scene 6. Cease, ruler of the day, to rise
Act 2. Scene 8. Joys of freedom, joys of pow'r
Act 3. Scene 3. Mad scene: Where shall I fly? Where hide this guilty head?
