After their acclaimed recording of Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice, La Nuova Musica and David Bates expand their PENTATONE discography with Handel's Unsung Heroes, in which the instrumentalists of Handel's operas are put centre stage. Traditionally restricted to an "invisible" existence in the orchestra pit, La Nuova Musica's obbligato instrumentalists - violinist Thomas Gould, oboist Leo Duarte and bassoonist Joe Qiu - are now in the limelight. They will stand as equal partners alongside a world-class line up of soloists - soprano Lucy Crowe, mezzo-soprano Christine Rice and countertenor Iestyn Davies - showing how Handel wrote music as virtuosic and lyrical for his unsung heroes as for their singing counterparts. The album includes arias from Handel masterpieces such as Rinaldo, Giulio Cesare, Agrippina and Ariodante. La Nuova Musica and it's artistic director David Bates are among the most exciting Baroque ensembles of today. Their PENTATONE debut with Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice was both BBC Music Magazine Choice and Gramophone Editor's Choice in December 2019. Iestyn Davies returns to PENTATONE after having sung the title role in that same release, whereas Lucy Crowe and Christine Rice make their PENTATONE debut.

Tracklist:

Teseo, Hwv 9: Ouverture
Rinaldo, Hwv 7a (Excerpts): Marcia
Rinaldo, Hwv 7a (Excerpts): Battaglia
Rinaldo, Hwv 7a (Excerpts): Or La Tromba
Alcina, Hwv 34: Sta Nell' Ircana Pietrosa Tana
Giulo Cesare In Egitto, Hwv 17 (Excerpts): Act II Sinfonia
Giulo Cesare In Egitto, Hwv 17 (Excerpts): Cieli, E Qual Delle Sfere
Giulo Cesare In Egitto, Hwv 17 (Excerpts): Act III Sinfonia
Giulo Cesare In Egitto, Hwv 17 (Excerpts): Recitativo. Giulio, Che Miri?
Giulo Cesare In Egitto, Hwv 17 (Excerpts): V'adoro, Pupille
Giulo Cesare In Egitto, Hwv 17 (Excerpts): Se In Fiorito Ameno Prato
Ariodante, Hwv 33: Scherza Infida
Aci, Galatea E Polifemo, Hwv 72: Qui L'augel Da Pianta In Pianta
Rinaldo, Hwv 7a (Excerpts): Venti, Turbini
Rodrigo, Hwv 5: Passacaille
Amidigi Di Gaula, Hwv 11: Pena Tiranna
Agrippina, Hwv 6: Se Giunge Un Dispetto

UPC: 827949089268
Label: Pentatone
Release Date: 10.15.21
Format: CD

Handel / La Nuova Musica - Handel's Unsung Heroes (CD)