Search - Rosemary Joshua, Sarah Connolly :: Handel: Duets

Recordings of excerpts are things to be wary of, particularly when they come from operas, but have no fear with this release, as the idea for putting this selection on a disc is strong. Handel had a unique grasp on the dramatic possibilities of the duet that reached beyond theater into all aspects of his vocal writing. Look no further than his breathless, ecstatic setting of "O Death, Where is thy Sting?" from Messiah, for his command of the device. The English Concert sheds any sense of oratorio-based priggishness under the admirable direction of Harry Bicket, whose pedigree shines through in the "lead and follow" interplay between band and beautiful voices. Both Sarah Connolly and Rosemary Joshua sound wonderful, but beyond their ravishing and well-matched tones it is their ability to take what the other offers and add, without upstaging, that pulls the listener into this very fine recording. -- Hugo Munday