Charles Mackerras, Orchestra del Teatro La Fenice - George Frideric Handel: Orlando (1999)
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue & Log) ~ 879 Mb | Total time: 64:00+52:53+53:32 | Scans included
Classical | Label: Mondo Musica | # MFOH 10502 | Recorded: 1985
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue & Log) ~ 879 Mb | Total time: 64:00+52:53+53:32 | Scans included
Classical | Label: Mondo Musica | # MFOH 10502 | Recorded: 1985
This is a fine alternative to Christopher Hogwood’s period performance on L’Oiseau-Lyre, and will be welcomed heartily by fans of Marilyn Horne. Orlando is a great role, filled with arias and scenes acrobatic, tender, and exclamatory (he goes mad in Act 2 and stays that way for much of Act 3). In l985, when this present set was taped live at Venice’s La Fenice, Marilyn Horne was still in control of her awesome powers–her breath control, fluidity, big, round tones, impeccable diction, and sheer intelligence still astound after all these years. And she’s certainly superior to the nasty-sounding, if dramatic, James Bowman for Hogwood. Lella Cuberli’s Angelica is fine but is outclassed by Arleen Auger; however, I prefer Jeffrey Gall’s countertenor Medoro to Catherine Robbins’ girly one (both for Hogwood again).