Lorraine Hunt Lieberson - Lorraine Hunt Lieberson Handel Arias (2025 Remastered Version) (2004/2025) [24/192]

If you think you've heard Handel's "Ombra mai fu" (known as his "Largo") so often, and in so many different arrangements, and sung by so many different voices, that you can no longer be moved or surprised by it, think again. This CD of Handel arias, mostly from his Theodora or the cantata La Lucrezia, ends with "Ombra mai fu," and as sung by Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, it is so tender, so beautiful, so impeccably shaded, that you'll think you're hearing it for the first time. But that's only four of this disc's 67 minutes–-a follow-up to Hunt Lieberson's extraordinarily successful CD of Bach cantatas. There's not a dull or disinterested moment to be heard anywhere. As the violated Lucrezia, Hunt Lieberson alternately rages against the man who raped her and turns her grief inward; the former is terrifying in its intensity, the latter makes us almost feel as if we're eavesdropping. The five arias for Irene, Theodora's friend, confidante, and the upholder of Christian beliefs are all magical prayers or statements of faith, and from Hunt Lieberson, they become real, with each word honestly conveyed and colored. The voice itself is unfailingly beautiful–-warm, lush, never forced, agile when necessary–-and her breath control is stunning. She is backed ideally by Harry Bicket and The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and the string soloists in the ensemble–-the viola da gamba player, lutenist, etc.–-are as gifted as she is. If you want proof that Handel was a great dramatist with a special gift for communicating emotion, all while listening to sublime sounds, this CD is a must. –Robert Levine

TRACKLIST

1. Lorraine Hunt Lieberson - Theodora, HWV 68: Ah! Whither should we fly, or fly from whom? (2025 Remastered Version)
2. Lorraine Hunt Lieberson - Theodora, HWV 68: As with rosy steps the morn (2025 Remastered Version)
3. Lorraine Hunt Lieberson - Theodora, HWV 68: O bright example of all goodness! (2025 Remastered Version)
4. Lorraine Hunt Lieberson - Theodora, HWV 68: Bane of virtue, nurse of passions (2025 Remastered Version)
5. Lorraine Hunt Lieberson - Theodora, HWV 68: The clouds begin to veil the hemisphere (2025 Remastered Version)
6. Lorraine Hunt Lieberson - Theodora, HWV 68: Defend her, Heav’n! (2025 Remastered Version)
7. Lorraine Hunt Lieberson - Theodora, HWV 68: Lord, to Thee each night and day (2025 Remastered Version)
8. Lorraine Hunt Lieberson - Theodora, HWV 68: She’s gone, disdaining liberty and life (2025 Remastered Version)
9. Lorraine Hunt Lieberson - Theodora, HWV 68: New scenes of joy (2025 Remastered Version)
10. Lorraine Hunt Lieberson - Lucrezia, HWV 145: O Numi eterni! O stelle! (2025 Remastered Version)
11. Lorraine Hunt Lieberson - Lucrezia, HWV 145: Già superbo del mio affanno (2025 Remastered Version)
12. Lorraine Hunt Lieberson - Lucrezia, HWV 145: Ma voi forse nel cielo (2025 Remastered Version)
13. Lorraine Hunt Lieberson - Lucrezia, HWV 145: Il suol che preme, l'aura che spira (2025 Remastered Version)
14. Lorraine Hunt Lieberson - Lucrezia, HWV 145: Ah! che ancor nell'abisso (2025 Remastered Version)
15. Lorraine Hunt Lieberson - Lucrezia, HWV 145: Alla salma infedel porga la pena (2025 Remastered Version)
16. Lorraine Hunt Lieberson - Lucrezia, HWV 145: A voi, padre, consorte (2025 Remastered Version)
17. Lorraine Hunt Lieberson - Lucrezia, HWV 145: Già nel seno comincia a compir (2025 Remastered Version)
18. Lorraine Hunt Lieberson - Serse, HWV 40: Se bramate d’amar, chi vi sdegna (2025 Remastered Version)
19. Lorraine Hunt Lieberson - Serse, HWV 40: Frondi tenere e belle (2025 Remastered Version)
20. Lorraine Hunt Lieberson - Serse, HWV 40: Ombra mai fu (2025 Remastered Version)



Thanks to the Original customer.