Handel: Handel's Finest Arias for Base Voice, Vol. 1

‘With his acting chops and weighty bass-baritone, Purves in full cry is a splendid and fearful spectacle’ (The Times)

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.

CDA67842  70 minutes 54 seconds
GRAMOPHONE 'CHOICE'
BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE OPERA 'CHOICE'
‘Purves's flair for specific characterisation enlivens every number on the disc. Egged on by Arcangelo's splenetic strings, he works in himself into a rage worthy of Boschi in an aria from Riccardo ...
‘One to treasure both for the sensitive and well-sustained singing of Christopher Purves and for the wonderfully wide expressive range of Handel's music … enjoyment is further enhanced by excelle ...
‘The full strings of Arcangelo are truly lively in Handel's music, and admirable playing is heard from wind soloists … Cohen proves again that he and Arcangelo are convincing and winning exponent ...