Your Tuneful Voice: Handel Oratorio Arias Iestyn Davies, Carolyn Sampson, The King's Consort & Robert King

• George Frideric Handel (1685-1759):
• 1 Belshazzar, HWV 61, Act I: Oh sacred oracles of truth 05:01
• 2 The Triumph of Time and Truth, HWV 71, Act II: Mortals think that Time is sleeping 07:05
• 3 Esther, HWV 50a, Act I: Tune your harps 04:45
• 4 Alexander Balus, HWV 65, Act I: Mighty love now calls to arm 02:35
• 5 Jephtha, HWV 70, Overture: Grave 05:09
• 6 Jephtha, HWV 70, Overture: Menuet 01:37
• 7 Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne, HWV 74, "Eternal Source of Light Divine" 03:35
• 8 Solomon, HWV 67, Part I: Welcome as the dawn of day 03:32
• 9 Semele, HWV 58, Act I: Your tuneful voice my tale would tell 05:12
• 10 The Choice of Hercules, HWV 69, Air: Yet, can I hear that dulcet lay 03:49
• 11 Jephtha, HWV 70, Act II: Up the dreadful steep ascending 03:36
• 12 Samson, HWV 57, Overture: I. Andante 03:17
• 13 Samson, HWV 57, Overture: II. Allegro 01:37
• 14 Samson, HWV 57, Overture: III. Menuetto 02:50
• 15 Israel in Egypt, HWV 54, Part II: Thou shalt bring them in 03:15
• 16 Esther, HWV 50b, Act II: Who calls my parting soul 03:13
• 17 The Triumph of Time and Truth, HWV 71, Act II: On the valleys 04:00
• 18 Esther, HWV 50a, Act II: How can I stay when love invites 03:06
• Total Runtime 01:07:14

Info for Your Tuneful Voice: Handel Oratorio Arias

Acclaimed countertenor Iestyn Davies and The King’s Consort perform an outstanding programme of Handel arias from some of the composer’s finest oratorios.

Eleven varied solo arias include ‘O sacred oracles of truth’, the delicate ‘Tune your harps’, ‘Eternal source of light’ (with supreme trumpet playing from Crispian Steele-Perkins), the melodious ‘Your tuneful voice’ and the virtuoso ‘Mighty love now calls to arm’, as well as rarities including ‘On the valleys, dark and cheerless’ and an especial jewel, ‘Mortals think that Time is sleeping’.

Iestyn is joined in two glorious duets by soprano Carolyn Sampson, including the ecstatic ‘Welcome as the dawn of day’ and the ghostly ‘Who calls my parting soul from death’.

Recorded in the well-nigh perfect acoustic of Menuhin Hall with a large and colourful orchestra, who also contribute two splendid overtures.

36 page booklet with authoritative liner note (in three languages) by renowned Handel scholar Prof. Donald Burrows, together with full texts, and 16 photos from the recordings.

“Davies is in his prime of vocal flexibility, and authoritative in modes both pious (‘O sacred oracles of truth’) and warlike (‘Mighty love now calls to arm’). Two cameos from Carolyn Sampson are, naturally, ravishing.” (Early Music Today)

“Davies's quick coloratura is dazzling in the final aria, 'How can I stay when love invites?'” (Gramophone Magazine)

“Davies's phrasing is to be admired, spanning as it does long lines of breath control.” (International Record Review)

“a first class anthology of Handel arias. The singing of Iestyn Davies is a delight from start to finish and he receives ideal support from Robert King and his players.” (MusicWeb International)

Iestyn Davies, countertenor
The King’s Consort
Robert King, conductor

No biography found.

Booklet for Your Tuneful Voice: Handel Oratorio Arias