Andreas Scholl - Ombra mai fu ~ Handel Arias from Giulio Cesare, Admeto, Radamisto, Rodelinda, Serse, Alcina

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
No more making allowances for countertenors--now the best of the breed have voices as rich and as varied as those of any other range. Exhibit A: Gramophone cover boy Andreas Scholl. Unlike David Daniels and Brian Asawa, who made their splash on the opera stage, Scholl became famous as a concert and oratorio singer. He doesn't sing with Daniels's temperament and fire; along with a certain equanimity, he has a round, pleasing sound and a vibrato that's attractive but never intrusive. For his first operatic recording, Scholl chose his music wisely: rather than tempest arias or bursts of martial fury, he gives us long, beautifully shaped melody in the title aria and the famous "Verdi prati." He's at his delightful best in the "birdsong" and "hunting" arias from Giulio Cesare: the clean coloratura, detailed phrasing, and imaginative embellishment are reminiscent of Emma Kirkby in her prime. The instrumental soloists in those arias (violin and horn, respectively) are equally fine, as is the entire period-instrument orchestra. However, nearly half of the playing time on this disc is instrumental music--that seems rather much for a recording marketed as a showcase for a hot young singer. (The much-recorded concerto grosso "Alexander's Feast" in particular seems superfluous.) With that caveat in mind, this impressive disc won't disappoint. --Matthew Westphal

Tracks:

Admeto, Re di Tessaglia: Ouverture
Admeto, Re di Tessaglia: Ballo di Larve
Admeto, Re di Tessaglia: Recitativo-accompagnato
Admeto, Re di Tessaglia: Aria
Serse: Sinfonia
Serse: Recitativo
Serse: Aria
Giulio Cesare In Egitto: Aria
Giulio Cesare In Egitto: Gigue
Giulio Cesare In Egitto: Aria
Radamisto: Passacaille
Radamisto: Gigue
Radamisto: Passepied
Radamisto: Rigaudon
Rodelinda, Regina de Langobardi: Sinfonia - Recitativo
Rodelinda, Regina de Langobardi: Aria
Rodelinda, Regina de Langobardi: Sinfonia
Rodelinda, Regina de Langobardi: Accompagnato
Rodelinda, Regina de Langobardi: Aria
Alcina: Aria
Alexander's Feast: Allegro
Alexander's Feast: Largo
Alexander's Feast: Allegro
Alexander's Feast: Andante non Presto

Amazon.com

No more making allowances for countertenors--now the best of the breed have voices as rich and as varied as those of any other range. Exhibit A: Gramophone cover boy Andreas Scholl. Unlike David Daniels and Brian Asawa, who made their splash on the opera stage, Scholl became famous as a concert and oratorio singer. He doesn't sing with Daniels's temperament and fire; along with a certain equanimity, he has a round, pleasing sound and a vibrato that's attractive but never intrusive. For his first operatic recording, Scholl chose his music wisely: rather than tempest arias or bursts of martial fury, he gives us long, beautifully shaped melody in the title aria and the famous "Verdi prati." He's at his delightful best in the "birdsong" and "hunting" arias from Giulio Cesare: the clean coloratura, detailed phrasing, and imaginative embellishment are reminiscent of Emma Kirkby in her prime. The instrumental soloists in those arias (violin and horn, respectively) are equally fine, as is the entire period-instrument orchestra. However, nearly half of the playing time on this disc is instrumental music--that seems rather much for a recording marketed as a showcase for a hot young singer. (The much-recorded concerto grosso "Alexander's Feast" in particular seems superfluous.) With that caveat in mind, this impressive disc won't disappoint. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

First encounter.......2005-10-18

I bought this as a gift for my mother who is 81. She always enjoys the Proms and saw Andreas(and heard) perform with John Williams, guitarist. She hardly ever goes out now so I just picked a CD as I couldn't find one with these two performing together. Will there be one coming as she would have liked that better? She thought his voice 'perfect' and was quite fascinated.

Loved it!.......2005-03-18

I really love this recording. I was actually looking for a good contertenor album so I bought this one. I am not disappointed. Scholl's voice is beautiful, soothing and really moving.
I also bought David Daniels 'Handel Operatic arias'at the same time.
I'm no opera expert but I must say there are striking differences in their renditions of even the same arias- in all cases I have preferred Scholl's delivery (especially Ombra mai fu) His voice is very effortless and sublime. I agree with the reviews above that Daniels vocals can be more dramatic and powerful. Also on Scholl's CD all the tracks are serene with just one aria that can give that amazing adrenaline rush(Confusa Si Miri)!! Not the case with Daniels CD.
So together this twosome makes a great CD combination but if I had to choose one it would be this one of Scholl's.
My only problem with this CD is that nearly half of the tracks are instrumental. Still worth all the praise!

A truly great voice- don't listen to self-labled "experts".......2004-02-27

After reading though the reviews of a few of the Andreas Scholl recital discs, I have come to the conclusion that most of the negative reviews originate from people who think they are "the" experts on Baroque music. They label his voice too "innocent", "precious", "bland", and "cold." They praise David Daniels, who in my opinion has a muddled middle register, and messy coloratura. Yes, maybe Daniels can be more dramatic and interpretive- I have seen/heard him in the title role of Giulio Cesare, at Houston Grand Opera. But, then again, I have also seen/heard Susan Graham as Ariodante, which was 100 times a more powerful, dramatic performance.

I differ from many of my American counterparts in that I think the quality and beauty of the voice can be enough in and of itself. Perhaps this is why, for example, I adore Joan Sutherland. She may have had the acting ability of an armchair, but she redeemed herself with truly glorious singing, leaving a legacy few sopranos today can even hope to match.

Having said all that (thanks for hearing me out!), I would encourage anyone, expert or novice, to buy this CD. Perhaps there a few more instrumental tracks that one would want, but overall, Harmonia Mundi had a great idea in mind. If you want to hear nothing but Scholl, you can buy The Voice, which I also highly recommend.

One of my personal favorites is his interpretation of Va, Tacito, from Giulio Cesare. Just listen to the variations he includes in the last repeat of the da capo aria. To say that I was enraptured would be an understatement. Another great selection is Fronde Tenere/Ombra Mai Fu. Instead of trying to "ham it up", he just sings it with beauty and clarity, with an amazing upper register. These two are just a few of what are a series of highlights.

Aside from the beauty of his singing, another great thing about Scholl is how comfortable he is in the lower register. He flirts with it, on occasion, and the first time you hear it, your jaw will drop. He defies the stereotype of the womanish, effeminate countertenor!

Bravissimo, Scholl. You're the only countertenor for me.

Amazing!.......2003-06-20

This was the first of many CDs that I've bought with Andreas Scholl! This CD introduced me to the beauty of his voice, and the great repertoire of this particular recording convinced me of the sheer quality and artistry of this young german singer!

Andreas Scholl is one of the leading countertenors in the world and I believe that this is the perfect CD to get to know him! I'm absolutely sure that you'll end up wanting to buy many more of his recordings and that you'll never be dissapointed by any of them!

UPDATE:
I've have been enjoying this CD for almost 5 years already! So much so that recently (May 2004), when I decided to buy a new home sound system, I carried it along with me in order to be able to compare the options that I had!

brilliant voice, eclectic selection.......2002-05-31

Andreas Scholl's angelic voice once again shines in this album with arias from seven different Handel operas written at the peak of the composers productive career. Only Julius Cesar is one of the more frequently performed ones in this selection, so we gain insight into rarely performed treasures from Alexander's Feast, Radamisto, Serse and others. The selection is beautiful and the Academy of Ancient music Berlin does a wonderful job in orchestrating the pieces. This album is another gem that no Scholl and baroque music afficionado should miss out on

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