Heavenly Seven Music

Exquisite, technically perfect and well balanced in selections and vocal choices. The music itself is a glorious example of Handel's brilliance.

For those who would prefer their Handel in bite-size portions, this excellent two-disc set may do the trick. Virgin Classics has chosen stellar aria and duet selections from their extensive Handel discography (1978-2003) and in the process, come up with as definitive a collection of the prolific composer's work as any on the market now. With a running time of well over 2 ½ hours, this compilation covers a broad canvas drawn from some of Handel's finest Italian operas, such as "Rodelinda", "Giulio Cesare", "Rinaldo" and "Deidamia". Even more, there are selections from his English works ("Hercules" and "L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato"), as well as miscellaneous vocal Italianate selections.

You know you're in for a world-class set when you have the amazing countertenor David Daniels book-ending the collection, beginning with his platinum-standard version of the much-covered "Frondi tenere...Ombra mai fù" from "Serse" and Bertarido's mournful "Pompe vane di morte!...Dove sei, amato bene" from "Rodelinda". And the set ends in a dream-like state with his wondrous Sesto/Cornelia duet with contralto Stephanie Blythe on the heartbreaking "Madre...Son nata a lagrimar" from "Giulio Cesare". In between is a veritable feast provided by a who's who among the world's leading Handelians. Highlights on disc one include soprano Sandrine Piau and alto Sara Mingardo melding effortlessly on the graceful and vocally challenging "Sorge il di" from the Neapolitan serenata, "Aci, Galatea e Polifemo". Blythe captures Dejanira's requisite madness beautifully in the air, "Where shall I fly?" from "Hercules". Countertenor Gérard Lesne does several thrilling turns on an entire Handel cantata, "Splenda l'alba in oriente". From "Giulio Cesare", legendary contralto Janet Baker contributes a heroically measured "How silently, how slyly", equally revered countertenor James Bowman glides over "Upstart, barbarian and traitor" with true panache, and soprano Valerie Masterson holds her own among these giants showing a diverse range of emotion on "Flow my tears" alternating easily between sonorous and vibrant.

Disc two starts with mezzo-soprano Vivica Genaux displaying some genuinely impressive runs on two arias from "Arminio", "Fatto scorta al sentier della gloria" and "Fiaccherò qul fiero orgoglio". Soprano Arleen Auger does a defiantly passionate turn on "Ombre pallide" from "Alcina", which compares favorably with Renée Fleming's more familiar version on Elektra. Daniels has yet another powerful vocal turn on the victorious "Venti, turbini" aria from "Rinaldo". Piau returns as well, this time intertwining atmospherically with mezzo-soprano Gloria Banditelli on the splendid "Prendi l'alma e prendi il core" from "Rodrigo". Operas are not the only source here. There is a charming duet between soprano Suzie LeBlanc and countertenor Derek Lee Ragin on the effusively Italianate "Tanti strali al sen", and a more dramatically diverse one between tenor Paul Agnew and soprano Patricia Petibon on "Caro autor do mia doglia" - both showcase yet another dimension of Handel to which I have not been exposed. Truth be told, if you enjoy these selections, you should purchase the original recordings, for example, Daniels' wonderful 1998 "Handel: Operatic Arias". But this will do in a pinch for the uninitiated who want an overview of Handel's musical genius. Trust me, with this stellar group of Handelians, you will beg for more.

CELESTIAL VOICES SING HEAVENLY HANDEL!

This is an excellent sampling of Handel's music and it is indeed "heavenly". Much of the music in Handel's operas, cantatas and oratorios are wonderfully vivid pieces of musical painting, and show Handel's genius in a light that is somewhat unfamiliar to modern musicians. Such passages as the sleep of Somnus in 'Semele' and the moonrise in 'Ariodante', to name but two instances out of many,form an important link in the history of programme music. But to those who understand and enjoy the Handelian idiom its beauty appear eternally new, and its unfailing dignity and loftiness of style recall the words in which Edward FitzGerald summed up his opinion of Handel: "His is the music for a great active people."

I have many of the discs already, but some of the songs were new to me for which I am grateful! Some of the high points for me: the duet from Guilio Cesare sung by contralto(Stephanie Blythe) and countertenor (Derek Ragin); the solo from Alcina sung by Arleen Auger(soprano)and David Daniel's rendition of "Ombra mai fu" from Serse. I have Andreas Scholl singing "Ombra" and I never realized how much more there is to that song till I heard Daniels sing it. Anyway this record is a great buy for Handelians.

I have not received this item yet. It is on back order. I had to rate it so put 3 stars. However sicne it hasn't been received I can't really rate it. You ought to take situations like this into consideration if you're going to do this sort of thing.

This CD, a digital remastering of a recording originally released in 1962, is an extraordinary value for anyone interested in American art song, or simply in fine singing. I bought it because I wanted to hear Eleanor Steber's performance of Griffes's "Waikiki", which did not disappoint. But there are many other wonderful songs, all presented with great artistry. They range from the demanding complexity of Barber's "Nuvoletta" and Ives's "General William Booth Enters into Heaven" to the lyricism of the Ernst Bacon songs to texts by Emily Dickinson. The final song on the CD, John McCollum's performance of Henry Cowell's "The Donkey", is especially memorable; I recommend this version over the one on the Albany label's "Songs of Henry Cowell" CD (which I bought because my interest in Cowell's songs was raised by hearing "The Donkey").

The CD contains a nice selection of songs from composers who we may not hear that much of. I bought this CD for Copland's Dirge in Woods and it was very nice. But I found some other nice treasures on this CD too. Four vocalists, two males and two females, take on this sometimes very challenging music. The music for the most part is not soft and languid both rather has some what we would think of as mid 20th century types of chords. Unless you're into that kinda of thing, you may not want to get this CD. These aren't master works, but just nice little songs a composer might of written while taking a break between writing operas or symphonies.

I have more experience with other genres of music, but am interested in basically all kinds. I have been collecting CDs for nearly 2 decades but had no Opera in my collection. I did a little research and arrived at a conclusion. If I wanted the most and best Opera music for my money, I had to get this title, which is a double album, and "The Most Famous Opera Duets". Well, the latter was a steal with a list price under four dollars, and the former was a truly good compilation of many uplifting, diverse, impactful, and pleasant pieces. I am satisfied with my purchases and have filled the gap in my music collection. I can't see Opera getting better than this and the other title I mentioned. Enjoy!

This music cd has really essential pieces of great operas. If you don't have many classical cds, why don't you buy this one and enjoy~? :)

This is a wonderful background for any tension realeasing activity, like reading a book. So glad I purchased it.

Rapture: Opera's Most Heavenly Moments

Absolutely fantastic! Stare into space and enjoy this music.

I am not an opera fan normally. But sometimes the music is so lovely that it's a pleasure to just sit and listen. That is what this disc is. Most of the music is gorgeous and although I don't understand a word of it I just love listening to it and enjoy it. I think anyone who loves beautiful music be it an opera fan or not will enjoy this cd.

An excellent recording-with exception of the engineering. Having attended a concert of choral music from the Ukraine, I find this recording faithfully follows all the whisper quiet to needing earplugs in your ears volume. The music is performed admirably, and the diction is good - I would be able to understand the words if I understood Russian. In the Russian tradition, the pieces are all acapella, and well done. In my humble opinion, this is a very good buy if you are interested in Russian choral music.

Some may find Willan a bit bland for their taste, and the pieces do sound a lot alike. However, if you respond to this spare, tonal idiom, like Howells on a diet, I think you will be pleased with this CD. Recommended for those that respond to Howells' Hymnus Paradisi!