Search - Palmer Singers, Edward Brewer, Jennifer Lane :: Handel - Alexander Balus 1748 English Oratorio in 3 Acts

Baird a treasure as Cleopatra

12/19/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While the King recording on Hyperion boasts a stylistically knowing cast and crew, this beautiful, unheralded recording features all Americans with splendid voices and a full-blooded approach to the dramatic (especially Act III) in an often-static plot line, which their more polished British neighbors shy from.
But far and away the best of both CDs is the superb work by soprano Julianne Baird as the hapless Cleopatra (not the Elizabeth Taylor Cleo but one by the same name from an earlier chapter in Egyptian history, it seems). Her death lament reflects some of the composer's--and the singer's--finest, most shining pages. Fine work from conductor Rudolph Palmer and D'Anna Fortunato in the title role also recommend this recording from Newport Classic."