Beauty Of The Baroque - Danielle De Niese (2012)

Since her early success in Glyndebourne’s now famous production of Handel’s Giulio Cesare, Danielle de Niese has become most closely associated with the music of the Baroque. The New York Times commented: “A voice seductive enough to woo gods as well as mortals”.

With her third solo album, Danielle de Niese embodies the Beauty of the Baroque with an album of arias from the English, German, and Italian traditions, accompanied by the leading European Baroque orchestra, The English Concert, under Harry Bicket. Many popular arias feature, including Handel’s, ‘Ombra mai fu’, and highlights from JS Bach’s Cantatas are contrasted with much loved solo songs by Purcell and Dowland.

Decca’s star countertenor Andreas Scholl joins Danielle de Niese for duets including the ravishing duet “Pur ti miro” from Monteverdi’s L’Incoronazione di Poppea.

Composer: John Dowland, George Frideric Handel, Henry Purcell, Claudio Monteverdi, …
Performer: Danielle De Niese, Andreas Scholl
Conductor: Harry Bicket
Orchestra/Ensemble: English Concert

Reviews: It's an intriguing and enjoyable programme…The English Concert provides suitable support throughout, from solo theorbo on Dowland's "What if I never speed?" to the trio of harpsichord, theorbo and viola da gamba with her delightful duet with counter-tenor Andreas Scholl

This is a charming recital that shows this popular soprano at her best…she has plenty of vivacity and fresh-toned sweetness. Guardian Angels, from Handel’s “The Triumph of Time and Truth”, is a highlight: a little-known but beautiful aria, sung here with poise and allure.

Tracklisting:

1. Firste Booke of Songes or Ayres: no 17, Come againe, sweet love doth now envite by John Dowland
Performer: Danielle De Niese (Soprano)
Conductor: Harry Bicket
Orchestra/Ensemble: English Concert
Period: Renaissance
Written: 1597; England

2. Third and Last Booke of Songes or Aires: no 9, What if I never speede by John Dowland
Performer: Danielle De Niese (Soprano)
Conductor: Harry Bicket
Orchestra/Ensemble: English Concert
Period: Renaissance
Written: 1603; England

3. Serse, HWV 40: Ombra mai fu "Largo" by George Frideric Handel
Performer: Danielle De Niese (Soprano)
Conductor: Harry Bicket
Orchestra/Ensemble: English Concert
Period: Baroque
Written: 1738; London, England

4. Samson, HWV 57: Let the bright Seraphim by George Frideric Handel
Performer: Danielle De Niese (Soprano)
Conductor: Harry Bicket
Orchestra/Ensemble: English Concert
Period: Baroque
Written: by 1743; London, England

5. Dido and Aeneas, Z 626: Thy hand, Belinda…When I am laid in earth by Henry Purcell
Performer: Danielle De Niese (Soprano)
Conductor: Harry Bicket
Orchestra/Ensemble: English Concert
Period: Baroque
Written: 1689; England

6. Acis and Galatea, HWV 49: Heart, the seat of soft delight by George Frideric Handel
Performer: Danielle De Niese (Soprano)
Conductor: Harry Bicket
Orchestra/Ensemble: English Concert
Period: Baroque
Written: 1718/1736; London, England

7. L'Incoronazione di Poppea: Pur ti miro [Final Duet] by Claudio Monteverdi
Performer: Danielle De Niese (Soprano), Andreas Scholl (Countertenor)
Conductor: Harry Bicket
Orchestra/Ensemble: English Concert
Period: Baroque
Written: 1642; Venice, Italy

8. Madrigals, Book 10: Quel sguardo sdegnosetto by Claudio Monteverdi
Performer: Danielle De Niese (Soprano)
Conductor: Harry Bicket
Orchestra/Ensemble: English Concert
Period: Baroque
Written: 1632; Italy

9. Rodelinda, HWV 19: Io t'abbraccio by George Frideric Handel
Performer: Danielle De Niese (Soprano), Andreas Scholl (Countertenor)
Conductor: Harry Bicket
Orchestra/Ensemble: English Concert
Period: Baroque
Written: 1725; London, England

10. Triumph of Time and Truth, HWV 71: Guardian angels, oh, protect me by George Frideric Handel
Performer: Danielle De Niese (Soprano)
Conductor: Harry Bicket
Orchestra/Ensemble: English Concert
Period: Baroque

11. Stabat Mater: Stabat Mater by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi
Performer: Danielle De Niese (Soprano), Andreas Scholl (Countertenor)
Conductor: Harry Bicket
Orchestra/Ensemble: English Concert
Period: Baroque
Written: 1736-1736; Italy

12. Weichet nur, betrübte Schatten, BWV 202 "Wedding Cantata": Sich üben im Lieben by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer: Danielle De Niese (Soprano)
Conductor: Harry Bicket
Orchestra/Ensemble: English Concert
Period: Baroque
Written: circa 1718-1723; Cöthen, Germany

13. Was mir behagt, ist nur die muntre Jagd!, BWV 208 "Hunt Cantata": Schafe können sicher weiden by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer: Danielle De Niese (Soprano)
Conductor: Harry Bicket
Orchestra/Ensemble: English Concert
Period: Baroque
Written: 1713; Cöthen, Germany




Thanks to the original releaser