I don’t review a lot of full length audio only recordings of mainstream operas.  Generally I think video makes more sense but sometimes something comes along that attracts my attention.  The recent recording of Handel’s Serse by the English Concert with Harry Bicket was one such.  This time it’s the cast that caught my attention.  There’s Emily d’Angelo (are we allowed to call her “young” or “emerging” any more?) in the title role but also such fine Handel singers as Lucy Crowe as Romilda and Mary Bevan as Atalanta.  As it turns out there’s not a weak link in the cast and while these three turn in fine performances so do Daniela Mack (Amastre), Paula Murrihy (Arsamene), Neal Davies (Ariodata) and William Dazeley (Elviro).

I listened to this whole thing with a great deal of pleasure.  D’Angelo is deeply impressive with dramatic but stylish and controlled singing whether it’s in the rather silly “Ombra mai fu” at the beginning or in the dramatic “Crude furie” at the end.  She also has a really appealing dark mezzo.  All three mezzos have proper mezzo voices and sound pretty much equally great.  Crowe’s brighter sound is a lovely contrast.  Listen to “Se l’idol mio” for some lovely lyricism.  Bevan and Dazeley manage the comic bits nicely and, in fact, the comedic elements are done in a very effective but quite restrained way.  It’s surprising how well they come off without any sight gags.

The orchestra is just about perfect.  It’s period instruments but one only hears that in a positive way.  The strings glisten, the woodwinds are sprightly and accurate and the intonation of the sparingly used trumpet and horns are just fine.  There’s also some very fine harpsichord playing.  Bicket isn’t afraid of fast tempi either though he doesn’t rush things.  It’s a nice balance; lyrical but not draggy.

The recording was made at All Saints, East Finchley in May 2022 and it’s as good as one expects from the Linn label.  It’s clear and balanced with plenty of presence.  It’s available as a physical 3CD set or in a variety of digital formats from MP3 to 192kHz/24bit FLAC.  I listened to a digital version at standard CD resolution but if I was buying I’d go for the hi-res FLAC.  There’s an excellent digital booklet with lots of background info and full text and English translation.

This fully deserves it’s selection as Gramophone recording of the month for next month!

Catalogue number: Linn Records CKD709