Christopher Purves - Finest Arias for Base Voice

The magnificent voice of Christopher Purves is featured on this unique recital disc of Handel's bass arias. The works heard here demonstrate the range and brilliance of Handel's writing for this voice and include selections from his Italian and English operas, English classical drama, Biblical oratorios, literary odes and a masque. Handel's endlessly imaginative gift for characterization is fully explored, 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 the oratorio Deborah. Gramophone Award winning Baroque band Arcangelo led by director Jonathan Cohen provide the sparkling accompaniments.

1) Sibilar Gli Angui D'Aletto Aria from Rinaldo Hwv7A [4'50]
2) I Rage I Melt I Burn! Accompagnato [1'21]
3) O Ruddier Than the Cherry Air [3'13] from Acis and Galatea Hwv49A
4) Fra L'Ombre E Gl'Orrori Aria from Aci Galatea E Polifemo HWV72 [6'59]
5) If I Give Thee Honour Due Recitative [0'12]
6) Mirth Admit Me of Thy Crew Air [2'34] from L'Allegro Il Penseroso Ed Il Moderato HWV55
7) Qual'Insolita Luce Accompagnato [1'09]
8) Caddi È Ver Aria [4'15] from la Resurrezione HWV47
9) Tears Such As Tender Fathers Shed Air from Deborah HWV51 [2'30]
10) To Pow'R Immortal My First Thanks Are Due Air from Belshazzar HWV61 [3'55]
11) Impari Ognun Da Orlando Accompagnato [1'11]
12) Sorge Infausta Una Procella Aria [4'35] from Orlando HWV3
13) Racks Gibbets Sword and Fire Air from Theodora HWV68 [3'56]
14) Volate Più Dei Venti Aria from Muzio Scevola HWV13 [3'24]
15) Vieni O Cara Aria from Agrippina HWV6 [1'45]
16) Nel Mondo E Nell'Abisso Aria from Riccardo Primo Re D'Inghilterra HWV23 [3'13]
17) Mie Piante Correte Aria [2'50]
18) Cara Pianta Aria [7'27] from Apollo E Dafne HWV122
19) Revenge Timotheus Cries Air from Alexander'S Feast HWV75 [7'55]
20) Leave Me Loathsome Light Air from Semele HWV58 [3'40]