Handel Arias ~ Renée Fleming, soprano; Harry Bicket with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment ~ Decca B0002SZVV8.

This contains a collection of arias mostly from Handel's operas with some selections from the oratorios. And what a wonderful collection it is. Renée Fleming may well be the foremost soprano of our time. She is a musician of the highest order, singing with understanding, emotion and individuality. In these arias she shows her love for the unquestioned dramatic powers that Handel had in spades. For this CD she worked with the Handelian scholar Ellen T. Harris who also wrote the jacket notes. She is partnered by Harry Bicket and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. I was struck by how faithful everyone was to Handel`s intentions. The result is that Handel lives again notwithstanding the centuries of music that have passed.

The order of the arias is interesting. She begins and ends with two slow arias, "Oh sleep, why dost tho leave me?" and the deeply sad "Convey me to some peaceful shore" written at the end of Handel's life. The decision to wedge these two darkly somnolent arias between the difficult and thrilling operatic flourishes of most of the other selections gives the disk a satisfying 'recital' feeling. Among other selections are Let The Bright Seraphim from Samson, Cleopatra's arias from Julius Caesar - V'Adoro Pupille and the fiery display of Da Tempeste. To Fleeting Pleasures Make Your Court was appropriately a pleasure as was Bel Piacere. The opening of Ombra Mai Fui with the long holding on the note from piano to an ever increasing crescendo and then diminuendo makes for goose bumps. The orchestra under Harry Bicket does not accompany Renée Fleming but is a vital partner. I particularly liked the way he matched the sound and timbre of her voice.

All in all this is a most satisfying CD. Think of it, Handel with Renée Fleming, in a red cover jacket. What better Christmas gift for a friend or spouse with discriminating taste? A note of caution, however. This CD was reviewed by Rick Phillips on Sound Advice. He gave it four stars out of five, finding that Renée Fleming sang as if it were part of the 19^th century repertoire. Even if I agreed with him, (which I do not) and I do admire his ideas, I would still recommend this CD most highly. She made me feel the truly great Handel.

- Bill Riley