'Un manjar' (La Voz de Galicia, Spain)

‘A noble and dignified recital’ (Fanfare, USA)

'Un disco admirable de todo punto' (Diario de Jerez, Spain)

'Un disco a la mayor gloria de Bowman' (Ritmo, Spain)

'here's a good, cheap way to support a company that has immeasurably enriched the collections of legions of record buyers over a quarter of a century … If you haven't already done so, buy a copy now, and show Hyperion that we really care about its future!' (Fanfare, USA)

‘Those two dozen oboes make magnificent and surprisingly clear sound, and the inclusion of the glorious Coronation Anthems composed for George II's coronation makes the disc one of unashamed musical splendour’ (The Sunday Times)

‘This recording recreates the scale of [the] original outdoor performance with 24 oboes, nine each of horns and trumpets, a dozen bassoons, and a mighty percussion of four pairs of timpani including a unique pair of extra-large 'double drums' and four side-drummers. The effect is shattering, the clearest justification for 'authenticity' in performance’ (BBC Music Magazine Top 1000 CDs Guide)

‘Mightily impressive’ (The Guardian)

‘Sampson brings undeniable flair to these arias, sometimes endowing them with a beguiling sensuality … Alexandra Bellamy plays with a gentle, relaxed period sound that is very pleasing’ (American Record Guide)

‘This is essential Handel … Carolyn Sampson sings with great circumspection and understanding of Handel's intentions’ (Audiophile Audition, USA)

‘Carolyn Sampson, who has a vivacious personality to go with her bright tone and virtuoso technique, sings Handel's melting melodies as if born to them. The open textures of the period-instrument King's Consort could hardly be more attractive, to boot’ (The Star-Ledger, USA)

‘Sampson persuasively evokes the innocent, carefree countryside in Handel’s Nine German Arias, both at quicksilver speed with babbling effervescent runs and shakes in Das Zitternde Glanzen, and at languid siesta pace with caressing vocal heat and a slight, appealing huskiness in Süsse Stille … the oboist Alexandra Bellamy plays the three oboe sonatas with thrilling buoyancy, burning long notes and no mechanical clatter’ (The Times)