Handel Oratorio arias

This is a splendid recording. The music is beautiful, though of the 13 arias, only the one from Messiah is well-known. The rest come from relatively obscure oratorios (or operas--the distinction is often blurred). Artfully arranged for maximum diversity of tempo, length, tonality, mood, and character, they add up to a consistently engrossing program. The performances could hardly be better. David Daniels is an extraordinary artist. His voice, effortlessly produced and impeccably focused, has an incredibly pure, even quality over an enormous range. He can give it an infinite variety of nuance, inflection, and expression, from exquisite sweetness in the lyrical arias to assertiveness and defiance in the dramatic ones; it even matches the color of the instruments in answering phrases. His coloratura, delivered in smooth legato but clear and flawless like a string of pearls, is stunning. He gives every note vibrant life and brings out the character of each aria without fuss or exaggeration. In the da capo arias, he embellishes the repeats with imaginative but never excessive ornamentation that sounds genuinely improvised. The period orchestra is excellent. Using normal tuning but baroque style, the players can step forward as soloists or set and underline mood and atmosphere. Listeners will choose their own favorite gems from this treasure-trove, but listening to the concluding aria, "He was despised," one understands why Messiah is Handel's most enduringly popular oratorio. --Edith Eisler