Kathleen Battle, Sir Neville Marriner & Academy of St. Martin in the Fields - Handel: Arias (2024)

For this wonderful recital finally making is digital debut, Kathleen Battle made a beautiful selection of Handel arias excerpted from its most famous operas (Alcina, Giulio Cesare in Egitto), oratorios (Solomon, Messiah) and masques (Acis and Galatea). It is witfully accompanied by Neville Marriner’s Academy, who provides an ideal backdrop in which Battle’s voice can express all its charm and virtuosity. This album is definitely a highlight of our Neville Marriner centenary retrospective!

Tracklist
1. Handel: Acis and Galatea, HWV 49, Act 1: Recitative. "Oh! Didst Thou Know the Pains" - Air. "As When the Dove" (Galatea) (7:28)
2. Handel: Giulio Cesare in Egitto, HWV 17, Act 3: Recitativo. "E pur così in un giorno" - Aria. "Piangerò la sorte mia" (Cleopatra) (6:30)
3. Handel: Joshua, HWV 64, Act 3: Air. "Oh! Had I Jubal's Lyre" (Achsah) (2:46)
4. Handel: L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55, Pt. 1: Recitative. "First, and Chief, on Golden Wing" - Air. "Sweet Bird" (11:49)
5. Handel: Messiah, HWV 56, Pt. 1, Scene 5: Aria. "Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion" (4:16)
6. Handel: Solomon, HWV 67, Act 3: Air. "Ev'ry Sight These Eyes Behold" (Queen of Sheba) (4:39)
7. Handel: Solomon, HWV 67, Act 3: Recitative. "May Peace in Salem Ever Dwell" - Air. "Will the Sun Forget to Streak" (Queen of Sheba (5:35)
8. Handel: Alcina, HWV 34, Act 2: Aria. "Ah! Mio cor!" (Alcina) (11:15)
9. Handel: Alcina, HWV 34, Act 1: Aria. "Tornami a vagheggiar" (Morgana) (4:34)