The magnificent Christopher Purves performs a recital of Handel's bass arias. This unique collection demonstrates the range and brilliance of Handel's writing for this voice, featuring a selection from Italian and English operas, English classical drama, Biblical oratorios, literary odes and a masque. Handel's endlessly imaginative gift for characterization is fully explored here, with Purves commanding an extraordinary emotional and technical range from the buffo blustering of Polyphemus in Acis and Gatalea to the loving musings of Abinoam in 'Tears, such as tender fathers shed' from the oratorio Deborah. 'With his acting chops and weighty bass-baritone, Purves in full cry is a splendid and fearful spectacle' (The Times)
1 Sibilar Gli Angui D'aletto (Argante) (Act 1 No 10, Aria from Rinaldo, Hwv7A) [4'50]
2 I Rage, I Melt, I Burn! (Polyphemus) (Part 2 No 2, Accompagnato from Acis and Galatea, Hwv49A) [1'21]
3 O Ruddier Than the Cherry (Polyphemus) (Part 2 No 3, Air from Acis and Galatea, Hwv49A) [3'13]
4 Fra L'ombre E Gl'orrori (Polifemo) (No 23, Aria from Aci, Galatea E Polifemo, HWV72) [6'59]
5 If I Give Thee Honour Due (L'allegro) (Part 1 No 14, Recitative from L'allegro, Il Penseroso Ed Il Moderato, HWV55) [0'12]
6 Mirth, Admit Me of Thy Crew (L'allegro) (Part 1 No 15, Air from L'allegro, Il Penseroso Ed Il Moderato, HWV55) [2'34]
7 Qual'insolita Luce (Lucifero) (Part 1 No 3, Accompagnato from la Resurrezione, HWV47) [1'09]
8 Caddi, È Ver (Lucifero) (Part 1 No 4, Aria from la Resurrezione, HWV47) [4'15]
9 Tears, Such As Tender Fathers Shed (Abinoam) (Part 3 Scene 2 No 2, Air from Deborah, HWV51) [2'30]
10 To Pow'r Immortal My First Thanks Are Due (Gobrias) (Act 3 Scene 3, Air from Belshazzar, HWV61) [3'55]
11 Impari Ognun Da Orlando (Zoroastro) (Act 3 Scene 6 No 10, Accompagnato from Orlando, HWV31) [1'11]
12 Sorge Infausta Una Procella (Zoroastro) (Act 3 Scene 6 No 11, Aria from Orlando, HWV31) [4'35]
13 Racks, Gibbets, Sword and Fire (Valens) (Act 1 No 5, Air from Theodora, HWV68) [3'56]
14 Volate Più Dei Venti (Porsena) (Act 3 No 6, Aria from Muzio Scevola, HWV13) [3'24]
15 Vieni, O Cara (Claudio) (Act 1 Scene 21, Aria from Agrippina, HWV6) [1'45]
16 Nel Mondo E Nell'abisso (Isacio) (Act 3 Scene 4, Aria from Riccardo Primo, Re D'inghilterra, HWV23) [3'13]
17 Mie Piante Correte (Apollo) (No 17, Aria from Apollo E Dafne, HWV122) [2'50]
18 Cara Pianta (Apollo) (No 18, Aria from Apollo E Dafne, HWV122) [7'27]
19 Revenge, Timotheus Cries (Part 2 No 2, Air from Alexander's Feast, HWV75) [7'55]
20 Leave Me, Loathsome Light (Somnus) (Act 3 Scene 1, Air from Semele, HWV58) [3'40]
The magnificent Christopher Purves performs a recital of Handel's bass arias. This unique collection demonstrates the range and brilliance of Handel's writing for this voice, featuring a selection from Italian and English operas, English classical drama, Biblical oratorios, literary odes and a masque. Handel's endlessly imaginative gift for characterization is fully explored here, with Purves commanding an extraordinary emotional and technical range from the buffo blustering of Polyphemus in Acis and Gatalea to the loving musings of Abinoam in 'Tears, such as tender fathers shed' from the oratorio Deborah. 'With his acting chops and weighty bass-baritone, Purves in full cry is a splendid and fearful spectacle' (The Times)
