Handel - Alcina / Sutherland, Rescigno

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This set is what early music or baroque opera purists might call politically incorrect. The orchestra at Venice's La Fenice is too big, the playing is Romantic, with plenty of rubato and not crisp, and very few of the singers get through the music as Handel wrote it or embellish it the way he wished. But it does feature Joan Sutherland at her most amazing. Her huge voice, pure tone, impeccable technique, seamless legato, and glorious ease are the definition of bel canto. London/Decca recorded her in the role, with a much better cast, in 1963, but that set is currently unavailable. While this two-CD release is not ideal, it does present Alcina in much of its loveliness. --Robert Levine

Handel - Alcina / Sutherland, Rescigno, Music, George Frideric Handel, Nicola Rescigno, Joan Sutherland, Classical, Opera / Operetta / Oratorio, Opera/Operetta

Average customer rating:

Pleasant, but that's all

Great performance from La Stupenda

oh, my a 12 yo basher? That's ridiculous.

Why are you ruining Handel, Sutherland?

Sutherland in early Radiant voice. Bravissima.

Handel - Alcina / Sutherland, Rescigno
George Frideric Handel , Nicola Rescigno , and Joan Sutherland
Manufacturer: Bella Voce Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Sutherland, Joan | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Handel - Alcina ~ Arias from Giulio Cesare / Sutherland, Berganza, Freni, Sinclair, Horne, Bonynge

Bellini: Beatrice Di Tenda

Händel: Orlando

Bellini - I Puritani / Sutherland

The Art of Joan Sutherland

ASIN: B000006RK6
Release Date: 2000-08-05

Tracks:

Sinfonia - Overture
'Oh Dei! Wuivi Non Scorgo' - 'Oh, Heavens! I Can Find No Track' - (Bradamante, Melisso, Morgana)
'Questo E Ll Cielo De Contenti' - 'Here Is Breathed The Air Of Happiness'
Ballo - Ballet
'Ecco L'infido' - 'There Is The Traitor' - (Bradamante, Melisso, Alcina)
'Di, Cor Mio, Quanto T'amai' - 'Tell, Sear Heart, How Much I Loved You' - (Alcina)
'Mi Ravvisi, Ruffier, Dimmi?' - 'Tell Me , Reggiero, So You Rreognise Me?' - (Bradamante, Ruggiero, Melisso)
'Di Te Mi Rido, Semplice Stolto' - 'I Scorn You, You Foolish Boy' - (Ruggiero)
'Qua Dunque Ne Veniste' - 'So You Have Come Here' - (Oronte, Bradamante, Morgana)
'E Gelosio' - 'It Is Jealousy' - (Bradamante)
Intermezzo - (Oronte, Morgana)
'La Cerco In Vano' - 'I Seek Her In Vain' - (Ruggiero, Oronte)
'Semplicetto! A Donna Credi?' - 'You Young Fool: Do You Trust In Women?' - (Oronte)
'Ah, Infedele, Infedel! Questo E L'amore?' - 'Ah, You Are False, Faithless! Is This Your Love?' - (Ruggiero, Alcina)
'La Vooa Vaga, Quell' Occhio Nero' - 'Her Lovely Mout And Her Dark Eyes' - (Ruggiero)
'A Quai Strani Perigli N'espone Il Tuo Parlar?' - 'What Unknown Dangers Have Your Words Exposed Us To?' - (Melisso, Bradmante, Morgana)
'Tornami A Vagheggiar' - 'Come Quickly Back To Court Me' - (Alcina)
Menuet
'Col Celarvi A Chi V'ama Un Momento' - 'To Hide Youself Even For A Moment' - (Ruggiero, Melisso)
'Qual Portento Mi Richiama...' - 'What Magic Can Have Recalled Me' - (Ruggiero)
'Pensa A Chi Geme D'amor Piagata' - 'Think Of Her Who Mourns Her Wounded Love' - (Melisso)
'Qual Odio Ingiusto Contre Me?' - 'What Is The Reason For Your Unjust Hatred Of Me?' - (Bradamte, Ruggiero)
'Vorrei Vendicrmi' - 'I Long To Be Avenged' - (Bradamante)
Intermezzo
'Ama, Sospira' - 'He Love, He Sighs'
'Mio Bel Tesoro' - 'My Chereshed Love' - (Ruggiero)
'Reina, Sei Tradita' - 'My Queen, You Are Betrayed!' - (Oronte, Alcina)
'Ah! Mio Cor! Schernito Sei!' - 'Ah! My Heart! You Are Scorned' - (Alcina)

Tracks:

'Or, Che Deci, Morgana?' - 'What Do You Say Now, Morgana?' - (Oronte, Morgana)
'E En Folle, E Un Vile Affetto' - 'It Is My Senseless And Abject Passion - (Oronte)'
'Eccomi A'piedi Tuoi' - 'Here I Am At Your Feet' - (Ruggiero, Bradamante, Morana)
'Verdi Prati, Selve Amene' - 'You Green Meadows, And Charming Woods' - (Ruggiero)
'Ah! Ruggiero Vrudel, Tu Non Mi Amasti' - 'Ah, Cruel Reggiero! You Have Never Loved Me!' - (Alcina)
'Ombre Pallide, Lo So, Mi Udite' - 'You Pale Shadows, I Know You Hear Me' - (Alcina)
Sinfonia-Symphony
'Tutta D'armate Squadre L'isola E Cinta' - 'the Island Is Surrounded By Armed Ships' - (Melisso, Ruggiero, Bradamante)
'Sta nell'Ircana Pietrose Tana' - 'In A Stony Lair In Hercynia' - (Ruggiero)
'Niuna Forza Lo Arresta' - 'No Power Could Prevent It' - (Oronte, Alcina)
'Mi Restano Le Lagrime' - 'Only Tears Remain to Me' - (Alcina)
'Le Lusinghe, Gl'inganni, Non Udir Piu' - 'Close Your Ears To Her Enticements And Deceits' - (Bradamante, Alcina, Ruggiero)
'Non E Amor, Ne Gelosia...E Pieta' - 'It Is Neither Love, Nor Jealousy. - (Alcina, Bradamante, Ruggiero)..It Is Pity'
'Prendi, E Vivi' - 'Take It, And Lived' - (Ruggiero, Oronte)
'Dall'Orror Di Notte Cieca' - 'Who Has Brought Us Here
Ballo - Ballet
'Sopo Tante Amare Pene' - 'After So Many Bitter Trials'
Aria: 'Let The Bright Seraphim' (Italian)

Amazon.com

This set is what early music or baroque opera purists might call politically incorrect. The orchestra at Venice's La Fenice is too big, the playing is Romantic, with plenty of rubato and not crisp, and very few of the singers get through the music as Handel wrote it or embellish it the way he wished. But it does feature Joan Sutherland at her most amazing. Her huge voice, pure tone, impeccable technique, seamless legato, and glorious ease are the definition of bel canto. London/Decca recorded her in the role, with a much better cast, in 1963, but that set is currently unavailable. While this two-CD release is not ideal, it does present Alcina in much of its loveliness. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Pleasant, but that's all.......2007-01-09

I don't know what opera these reviewers were listening to, but it damned sure wasn't the one I got today. It just finished. I was led to believe (which is why I bought it) that it was a glorious coruscating example of Sutherland in her prime (which in my opinion she never lost). Well, it wasn't. It barely passes as coloratura at all, there are no leaps, no nothing. It is pleasant, if that's all you want. I do not believe that this is the opera and the place that gave Sutherland the sobriquet "La Stupenda." She was good of course, but the music wasn't that outstanding. Finally, the sound is not all that bad. There were some thumps which I assume were microphones, but I don't know. Everyone was clearly audible and the singing was perfectly distinct. These Sutherland fanatics (like the Callas and Sills ones) would write ecstatic raves if she belched! I love her too. But a) she was not her typical self in this opera, and b) there ARE other sopranos, you know.

Great performance from La Stupenda.......2006-09-22

However, I MUCH prefer (although the sound is quite murky) her 1959 performance in Handel's "Rodelinda" - her final aria is unreal; the rest of it ain't bad, either! And, for anyone interested in hearing her in fresher voice for some "Alcina" arias, pick up her "Art of Joan Sutherland" collection - it includes all arias from her "Command Performance" album, and her french album, and then some :)

oh, my a 12 yo basher? That's ridiculous........2003-07-30

Alcina sung in Venice earn sutheland the title "La Stupenda" Never, ever does Italian audiences ever do that for a foreign prima donna. But the singing is sublime. Sutherland with a voice of a trumpet and the agility of a flute. The Venetians have never heard anything like it. And they blocked La Stupenda from leaving the theater for 10 hours. And when she showed up at an restaurent, the entire place stood up for a prolonged ovation. That is the state of voice Sutherland was here, 1960. At that stage of her life, her voice is not only gorgeous, but superhuman in its agility. You can't let this one slip by you.

Why are you ruining Handel, Sutherland?.......2003-07-03

Sutherland muttering to herself in some indecipherable human tongue is not fun to listen to. Also, her huge voice ruins Handel's light orchestration. Also, Sutherland's coloratura technique is all wrong for Baroque coloratura. To hear true Baroque coloratura virtuosity, listen to Sills' renditions of "Non disperar; chi sa" and "Da tempeste in legno infranto" from "Giulio Cesare". Sills' embellishments are so difficult that, if Sutherland were to use them, she would collapse!

Sutherland in early Radiant voice. Bravissima........2003-06-30

A bel canto Handel! Sutherland had a huge voice at the time of this recording. Words can't describe its gorgeous tone and power, not to mention it's ease with all coloratura fireworks. Also, during this period, Sutherland's phrasing is impeccable, as is her( surprise )superb diction. The Alcina arias are embellished to the degree that only Sutherland can sing them.
Luckily for us, Sutherland had a lot of arias to sing in this long but surprisingly lovely opera. The rest of the cast is excellent but far below the definitive standard that La Sutherland has set. I feel sorry for anyone who has to share the stage with the diva when she was in her prime because no one can even come close to her vocal perfection.
Hear it to believe it. Brava.

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

Music Review

Truth Gotta Stand

Scriabin Sonata Fantasy No 2; Chopin Polonaise-Fantasy; Bach-Godowsky Andante Aria

Romantic Piano Favourites, Vol. 6

Magic/Simplicity of Expression: Depth of Thought [Import]

Spliffen Sie Englisch

Spirit Feathers/Mesa Music Consort [Import]

Songs of the Volcano

Smokestack Lighting [Import]

Shangri-La [Import]

Scheidemann: Organ Works, Vol. 5

Rhythm & Changes [Import]

Que Me Siga la Banda

Ranchero de Corazon

Street Player

Live at CBGB's Tuesday 12/19/89