Christopher Purves - Handel: Finest Arias For Base Voice 2

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

1) Sibilar Gli Angui D'aletto (Argante)  (Act 1 No 10 Aria from Rinaldo Hwv7A) [4'50]
2) I Rage I Melt I Burn! (Polyphemus)  (Part 2 No 2 Accompagnato from Acis and Galatea Hwv49A) [1'21]
3) O Ruddier Than the Cherry (Polyphemus)  (Part 2 No 3 Air from Acis and Galatea Hwv49A) [3'13]
4) Fra L'ombre E Gl'orrori (Polifemo)  (No 23 Aria from Aci Galatea E Polifemo HWV72) [6'59]
5) If I Give Thee Honour Due (L'allegro)  (Part 1 No 14 Recitative from L'allegro Il Penseroso Ed Il Moderato HWV55) [0'12]
6) Mirth Admit Me of Thy Crew (L'allegro)  (Part 1 No 15 Air from L'allegro Il Penseroso Ed Il Moderato HWV55) [2'34]
7) Qual'insolita Luce (Lucifero)  (Part 1 No 3 Accompagnato from la Resurrezione HWV47) [1'09]
8) Caddi È Ver (Lucifero)  (Part 1 No 4 Aria from la Resurrezione HWV47) [4'15]
9) Tears Such As Tender Fathers Shed (Abinoam)  (Part 3 Scene 2 No 2 Air from Deborah HWV51) [2'30]
10) To Pow'r Immortal My First Thanks Are Due (Gobrias)  (Act 3 Scene 3 Air from Belshazzar HWV61) [3'55]
11) Impari Ognun Da Orlando (Zoroastro)  (Act 3 Scene 6 No 10 Accompagnato from Orlando HWV31) [1'11]
12) Sorge Infausta Una Procella (Zoroastro)  (Act 3 Scene 6 No 11 Aria from Orlando HWV31) [4'35]
13) Racks Gibbets Sword and Fire (Valens)  (Act 1 No 5 Air from Theodora HWV68) [3'56]
14) Volate Più Dei Venti (Porsena)  (Act 3 No 6 Aria from Muzio Scevola HWV13) [3'24]
15) Vieni O Cara (Claudio)  (Act 1 Scene 21 Aria from Agrippina HWV6) [1'45]
16) Nel Mondo E Nell'abisso (Isacio)  (Act 3 Scene 4 Aria from Riccardo Primo Re D'inghilterra HWV23) [3'13]
17) Mie Piante Correte (Apollo)  (No 17 Aria from Apollo E Dafne HWV122) [2'50]
18) Cara Pianta (Apollo)  (No 18 Aria from Apollo E Dafne HWV122) [7'27]
19) Revenge Timotheus Cries  (Part 2 No 2 Air from Alexander's Feast HWV75) [7'55]
20) Leave Me Loathsome Light (Somnus)  (Act 3 Scene 1 Air from Semele HWV58) [3'40]