In 2003, in conjunction of a revival of Peter Sellars’production of Handel’s Theodora at Glyndebourne ,Lorraine Hunt-Lieberson went into the studio and recorded a Handel album with Harry Bicket and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.  That album was released to great acclaim in 2004.  It’s now been remastered and the new version will be available on October 17th.

The album contains all of Irene’s music from Theodora including superb versions of “As with rosy steps the morn” and “Lord, to Thee, each night and day”.  There’s also the cantata Lucrezia where she is accompanied by Harry Bicket on harpsichord & chamber organ, Stephen Stubbs on 10-course lute and Baroque guitar, Phoebe Carrai on cello and Margriet Tindemans on viola da gamba.  There are also two arias from Serse; “Se bramate d’amar, chi vi sdegna” and “Ombra mai fu”.It’s fabulous and so much praise has been heaped on the original release that I’ll leave it at that and concentrate on the remaster.  It’s very good.  Some people may find it too good as it has a much wider dynamic range than most CD releases.  That said the 192kHz/24bit digital version has exceptional detail and clarity.  It’s also available as 11 channel Dolby ATMOS as well as physical CD and MP3.  There’s a very useful booklet.

Catalogue information: AVIE Records AV2792