Lorraine Hunt Lieberson: Handel Arias [Hybrid SACD] [SACD]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
If you think you've heard Handel's "Ombra mai fu" (known as his "Largo") so often, and in so many different arrangements, and sung by so many different voices, that you can no longer be moved or surprised by it, think again. This CD of Handel arias, mostly from his Theodora or the cantata La Lucrezia, ends with "Ombra mai fu," and as sung by Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, it is so tender, so beautiful, so impeccably shaded, that you'll think you're hearing it for the first time. But that's only four of this disc's 67 minutes---a follow-up to Hunt Lieberson's extraordinarily successful CD of Bach cantatas. There's not a dull or disinterested moment to be heard anywhere. As the violated Lucrezia, Hunt Lieberson alternately rages against the man who raped her and turns her grief inward; the former is terrifying in its intensity, the latter makes us almost feel as if we're eavesdropping. The five arias for Irene, Theodora's friend, confidante, and the upholder of Christian beliefs are all magical prayers or statements of faith, and from Hunt Lieberson, they become real, with each word honestly conveyed and colored. The voice itself is unfailingly beautiful---warm, lush, never forced, agile when necessary---and her breath control is stunning. She is backed ideally by Harry Bicket and The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and the string soloists in the ensemble---the viola da gamba player, lutenist, etc.---are as gifted as she is. If you want proof that Handel was a great dramatist with a special gift for communicating emotion, all while listening to sublime sounds, this CD is a must. --Robert Levine

Tracks:

Ah! Whither Should We Fly...
...As With Rosy Steps The Morn
O Bright Example Of All Goodness!...
...Bane Of Virtue, Nurse Of Passions
The Clouds Begin To Veil The Hemisphere...
...Defend Her Heav'n!
Lord, To Thee Each Night And Day
She's Gone, Disdaining Liberty And Life...
...New Scenes Of Joy
Cantata
Cantata
Cantata
Cantata
Cantata
Cantata
Cantata
Cantata
Se Bramate D'amar, Chi Vi Sdegna
Frondi Tenere E Belle...
...Ombra Mai Fu

Amazon.com

If you think you've heard Handel's "Ombra mai fu" (known as his "Largo") so often, and in so many different arrangements, and sung by so many different voices, that you can no longer be moved or surprised by it, think again. This CD of Handel arias, mostly from his Theodora or the cantata La Lucrezia, ends with "Ombra mai fu," and as sung by Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, it is so tender, so beautiful, so impeccably shaded, that you'll think you're hearing it for the first time. But that's only four of this disc's 67 minutes---a follow-up to Hunt Lieberson's extraordinarily successful CD of Bach cantatas. There's not a dull or disinterested moment to be heard anywhere. As the violated Lucrezia, Hunt Lieberson alternately rages against the man who raped her and turns her grief inward; the former is terrifying in its intensity, the latter makes us almost feel as if we're eavesdropping. The five arias for Irene, Theodora's friend, confidante, and the upholder of Christian beliefs are all magical prayers or statements of faith, and from Hunt Lieberson, they become real, with each word honestly conveyed and colored. The voice itself is unfailingly beautiful---warm, lush, never forced, agile when necessary---and her breath control is stunning. She is backed ideally by Harry Bicket and The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and the string soloists in the ensemble---the viola da gamba player, lutenist, etc.---are as gifted as she is. If you want proof that Handel was a great dramatist with a special gift for communicating emotion, all while listening to sublime sounds, this CD is a must. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

A Legendary Singer........2007-03-07

I simply don't have the heart to review Mrs. Lieberson's works.
If we call Ms. Bartoli a 'great' singer, then the description of 'legendary' more aptly depicts Mrs. Lieberson.
If ever a truly good artist lived, Mrs. Lieberson is one such.
The only singer that could be recalled singing in such style is Teresa Berganza; but still, they are different.
This is one of my favourite interpretators of Haendel. Having been 'treated' by those coloraturas of arias of Haendel's period by Ms. Bartoli and others, I find the singing of Lorraine Hunt Lieberson a great relief - at last, this is what Haendel would want it to be. And I equally enjoy the singing of soprano arias by Mrs. Lieberson - the timbre is warmer, but still with all the shimmer - so different from the dark mushy tones of other celebrated 'lyrical soprano' around.
Don't want to say more. Mrs. Lieberson's leaving last year is too heavy a news for me.

Lorraine Hunt Lieberson's Bach: The mind of God revealed!!.......2007-01-06

These deeply felt performances of two of Bach's most moving cantatas show this transcendent singer's combination of emotional honesty and profound musicality, all combined to reveal the very mind of God through divine redemption from suffering. The disc is to be treasured even more in light of the Ms. Lieberson's recent untimely death from cancer. I'm an agnostic, but this music makes me envious of those who can believe. Roy in Pope Valley, California

Glorious singing to treasure for decades.......2006-07-11

By any measure, America's Lorraine Hunt Lieberson is at least the equal of Italy's premier diva, mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli, although she does not have the same superstar status. It is difficult to recall past mezzos with clearer enunciation of English text, (as favoured in nine excerpts from Theodora), the richness of voice, displayed in full-throated fortissimo and sharply contrasted pianissimo of utmost delicacy, evokes fondest memories of the tragically doomed Kathleen Ferrier. Masterfully chosen to display every facet of Hunt Lieberson's consumate command of Handel's dauntingly difficult music, the disc's repertoire - recitatives and linkig arias from the operas Theodora and Serse, and the cantana La Lucrezia - is stunning. An unsung mezzo who makes the senses tingle!

Lorraine Hunt-Lieberson (1954-2006), supreme Handelian.......2006-07-06

I have never heard a voice purer of tone, more flexible in phrasing, and so gorgeously produced in a homogeneous column of sound such as this artist in Handel's repertoire. It is very tastefully sung (unlike a certain person whose name begins with R and ends with enaaay Fleming) and so dramatically touching that one could not help but feel that this repertoire finally has found its instrument. And how sad it is to know that this instrument has passed away two days ago. Lorraine Hunt-Lieberson died two days ago in her home in Santa Fe, New Mexico of breast cancer. It is such a huge loss to the opera world, as she is an artist who is still experiencing the prime of her career. The voice is just so beautiful, the tone so pure, that I lament that we can no longer hear any great roles from this artist. She will be missed.

The Stellar Hunt Lieberson.......2006-03-19

Simply put, Lorraine Hunt Lieberson is one of the very best classical singers alive. She combines vocal elegance and purity with an emotional delivery that raises her above the crowd of technically proficient singers who just don't possess her depth of musical understanding or emotional commitment. Hunt Lieberson is a true artist who resists easy classfication except to say she is perfect in what she does.

Handel Arias for Cuzzoni, Durastanti, Senesino & Montagnana / Saffer · Hunt-Lieberson · Minter · Thomas · PBO · McGegan

Average customer rating:

Do not miss it!
A must-have for Handelians

Handel Arias for Cuzzoni, Durastanti, Senesino & Montagnana / Saffer · Hunt-Lieberson · Minter · Thomas · PBO · McGegan
George Frideric Handel , Nicolas McGegan , Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra , Lisa Saffer , Lorraine Hunt , Drew Minter , and David Thomas
Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | Imports | Stores | Music

Tracks:

Arias For Cuzzoni: Spietati, io vi giurai (Rodelinda II, 3)
Arias For Cuzzoni: Ombre, piante, urne funeste! (Rodelinda I, 7)
Arias For Cuzzoni: Il volo cosi fido (Riccardo Primo III, 8)
Arias For Cuzzoni: Accomp.: Che sento? - Aria: Se pieta (Guilio Cesare II, 8)
Arias For Cuzzoni: Recit.: E pur cosi - Aria: Piangero (Guilio Cesare III, 3)
Arias For Cuzzoni: Da tempeste il legno infranto (Guilio Cesare III, 6)
Arias For Cuzzoni: Scoglio d'immota fronte (Scipione II, 8)
Arias For Cuzzoni: Recit.: E tale Otton? - Aria: Falsa immagine (Ottone I, 3)
Arias For Cuzzoni: Recit.: Guinge Otton? - Aria: Affanni del pensier (Ottone I, 10)
Arias For Cuzzoni: Recit.: Serve Asteria - Aria: Se non mi vuol amar (Tamerlano I, 5)
Arias For Cuzzoni: L'Amor che per te sento (Alessandro III, 4)
Arias For Cuzzoni: Recit.: Chi mai l'intende - Aria: Amante stravagante (Flavio I, 13)

Tracks:

Arias For Durastanti: Recit.: Favorevol la sorte - Aria: Ogni vento (Agrippina II, 20)
Arias For Durastanti: Pensieri, voi mi tomentate (Agrippina II, 13)
Arias For Durastanti: Ombra cara di mia sposa (Radamisto II, 2)
Arias For Durastanti: Recit.: Oh Dio! parte Zenobia - Aria: Qual nave (Radamisto III, 1)
Arias For Durastanti: Accopm.: Io d'altro regno - Aria: Dimmi, crudele Amore (Muzio Scevola III, 3)
Arias For Durastanti: Recit.: Ben a raggion - Aria: Vieni, o figlio (Ottone II, 4)
Arias For Durastanti: Recit.: Vani sono i lamenti - Aria: Svegliatevi nel core (Guilio Cesare I, 4))
Arias For Durastanti: Cara speme (Guilio Cesare I, 8)
Arias For Durastanti: Recit.: Figlio non e - Aria: L'angue offenso mai riposa (Guilio Cesare II, 6)
Arias For Durastanti: L'aure che spira (Guilio Cesare II, 11)
Arias For Durastanti: La giustizia (Guilio Cesare III, 5)
Arias For Durastanti: Mirami altero in volto (Arianna I, 2)
Arias For Durastanti: Qual leon (Arianna II, 6)

Tracks:

Arias For Senesino: Va tacito (Guilio Cesare I, 9)
Arias For Senesino: Non e si vago e bello (Guilio Cesare I, 7)
Arias For Senesino: Vivi, tiranno (Rodelinda III, 4)
Arias For Senesino: Recit.: Che piu si tarda omai - Accomp.: Inumano fratel - Aria: Stille amare (Tolomeo III, 6)
Arias For Senesino: Recit.: Nube, che il Sole - Aria: Si fugge il duol (Riccardo Primo II, 7)
Arias For Senesino: Agitato da fiere tempeste (Riccardo Primo I, 6)
Arias For Senesino: Accomp.: Ah! stigie larve - Arioso: Gia latra Cerbero - Accomp.: Ma la furia - Aria: Vaghe pupille (Orlando II, 11)
Arias For Senesino: Accomp.: Gia per la man - Arioso: Gia l'ebro mio ciglio (Orlando III, 8)
Arias For Senesino: Recit.: T'ubbidiro, crudele - Aria: Fammi combattere (Orlando I, 9)
Arias For Senesino: Recit.: E questa la Mercede - Aria: Cielo! (Orlando II, 3)
Arias For Senesino: Amor, nel mio penar (Flavio III, 4)

Tracks:

Arias For Montagnana: Recit.: Perche tanto tormento? - Aria: Se un bell'ardire (Ezio I, 6)
Arias For Montagnana: Accomp.: Folle e colui - Aria: Nasce al bosco Ezio II, 8)
Arias For Montagnana: Recit.: Che indegno! - Aria: Giisonar (Ezio III, 13)
Arias For Montagnana: Recit.: Addio, principe scrupoloso - Aria: Fra l'ombre e gli orrori (Sosarme I, 5)
Arias For Montagnana: Recit.: Quanto piu Melo - Aria: Sento il cor (Sosarme II, 7)
Arias For Montagnana: Recit.: Tanto s'eseguira - Aria: Tiene Giove (Sosarme II, 9)
Arias For Montagnana: Recit.: I'll Hear No More - Aria: Pluck Root And Branch (Esther I, 3)
Arias For Montagnana: Turn Not, O Queen (Esther II, 6)
Arias For Montagnana: How Art Thou Fall'n (Esther III, 6)
Arias For Montagnana: Recit.: Avampo - Aria: Ferito son d'Amore (Acis & Galatea Second Part)
Arias For Montagnana: Piangi pur (Tolomeo II, 7)
Arias For Montagnana: Recit.: Mira, e prendi l'esempio - Aria: Lascia Amor (Orlando I, 2)
Arias For Montagnana: Recit.: Impari ognun da Orlando - Accomp.: Accomp.: O voi del mio poter - Aria: Sorge infausta una procella (Orlando III, 6)
Arias For Montagnana: Recit.: Barak, My Son - Aria: Awake The Ardour (Deborah I, 3)
Arias For Montagnana: Recit.: Thy Ardours Warm - Aria: Swift Inundation (Deborah II, 2)
Arias For Montagnana: Tears, Such As Tender Fathers Shed (Deborah III, 2)
Arias For Montagnana: Ah, Canst Thou But Prove Me! (Athalia II, 1)

Customer Reviews:

Do not miss it!.......2004-12-20

As some really interesting McGegan recordings silently disappear, buy it NOW, without hesitation.

The concept is lavish. We see how Handel's pen was controlled by the artists' personality. David Thomas, e.g., flies down to the abyss opened by Handel's music to the possibly plutonian Montagnana -nobody, never could sing it better, "fly deeper". The ladies are lecherously "aviatic" to the opposite direction. Those who miss it miss a universe.

A must-have for Handelians.......2004-08-04

This bargain-priced box set is a must-have for anyone who loves Handel's operas. Whilst Nicholas McGegan has had his critics over some of his Goettingen recordings, it cannot be denied that he has rescued some of Handel's finest arias and operas from the dustbin of History. And here (87 arias later), he has a fine cast of singers all re-living the repertoire of some of the best singers of the 18th century - Lisa Saffer sings arias by Cuzzoni, Drew Minter arias by Senesino, David Thomas arias for Montagnana, and Lorraine Hunt Lieberson arias by Durastanti.

The excellent Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra provide superb accompaniment for each singer, and the sound quality is very good across all four discs. The whole comes with a very informative and exhaustive booklet containing introductory essays for each singer, as well as full libretti.

Highlights include Lisa Saffer's ravishing account of Falsa Imagine (Ottone) which Cuzzoni allegedly refused to sing as it was too plain - until Handel threatened to throw her out of the window..! Lorraine Hunt's re-enaction of Durastanti's Sesto role from Giulio Cesare sees a committed 'L'angue offenso mai riposa'. Drew Minter's coppery and languid countertenor gives delight in little-known arias from Riccardo Primo (Agitato da fiere tempeste) and Tolomeo (Stille Amare). Whilst David Thomas' cavernous bass voice ranges across opera and oratorio roles for Montagnana.

In all this is a superb collection that illustrates what a genius Handel was at characterisation and word-painting. No Handel lover will want to miss it.

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

Music Review

Make Breakdown [Limited Edition] [Import]

Gran Duo for Guitar & Flute

COMPLETE STRING QUARTETS (BOX) (LTD) (DLX PACKAGE) [Box set] [Limited Edition]

A Song For My Baby

Forget the World

Golden Soul

Dis Quand Reviandras-Tu 62-63 [Import]

Fantastic, Vol. 2

Dirty Strangers

Double Fantasy [Import] [Original recording remastered]

Jazz Box [Import]

Dreamlike 2 - Hayal gibi 2

Got That Stank [Explicit Lyrics]

All I Ask

Earth Prayer