Natalie Dessay / Emmanuelle Haïm

Handel: Cleopatra Arias

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AllMusic Review by Stephen Eddins

The fact that the role of Handel's Cleopatra includes enough music to fill out a CD, and that, combined with the music's demands for immense virtuosity and versatility, makes it a daunting challenge and Natalie Dessay is impressive in her account of these excerpts. Dessay's singing is not entirely consistent throughout the album, recorded in 2010, whether because some arias are simply better suited to her voice than others, or because she was not at her best for some of the recording sessions. While the agility and precision of her coloratura are always intact, in some selections, such as the arias "Tutto può donna vezzosa," and "Venere bella," Dessay's voice sounds lighter than it does on albums from earlier in her career, and even a little breathy in her lower register. In other arias, though, she conveys the remarkable fullness and purity for which she is renowned. "Se pieta di me non senti" is breathtaking; her gleaming tone is practically voluptuous and she spins lines of miraculously velvety smoothness and searing emotional intensity. "Piangerò la sorte mia" and the substitution aria "Per dar vita all'idol mio" are other highlights that showcase Dessay at her most vocally and dramatically dazzling. Mezzo-soprano Sonia Prina as Caesar is a capable partner for Dessay in several recitatives and the duet, "Caro! Bella!" Emmanuelle Haïm and Le Concert d'Astrée, frequent collaborators with Dessay, bring their characteristic finesse, spirited intelligence, and dramatic urgency to the music, and the realizations of the continuo parts are especially inventive. Virgin Classics' sound is exceptionally vivid and present, with good balance.

Track Listing

Sample		Title/Composer	Performer	Time
Giulio Cesare in Egitto, HWV17
	1	Ouverture. George Frederick Handel	Natalie Dessay / Emmanuelle Haïm	2:41
	2	Act 1. Scene 7. Tutto può donna vezzosa George Frederick Handel	Natalie Dessay / Emmanuelle Haïm	4:57
	3	Act 2. Scene 2. Taci! Che fia? George Frederick Handel	Natalie Dessay / Emmanuelle Haïm	1:46
	4	Act 2. Scene 2. V'adoro, pupille George Frederick Handel	Natalie Dessay / Emmanuelle Haïm	5:06
	5	Act 2. Scene 7. Esser qui deve in breve George Frederick Handel	Natalie Dessay / Emmanuelle Haïm	0:34
	6	Act 2. Scene 7. Venere bella George Frederick Handel	Natalie Dessay / Emmanuelle Haïm	5:02
	7	Act 2. Scene 8. Che sento? Oh dio! George Frederick Handel	Natalie Dessay / Emmanuelle Haïm	0:49
	8	Act 2. Scene 8. Se pietà di me non senti George Frederick Handel	Natalie Dessay / Emmanuelle Haïm	9:08
	9	Act 2. Scene 8. Per dar vita all'idol mio George Frederick Handel	Natalie Dessay / Emmanuelle Haïm	3:57
	10	Act 2. Sinfonica bellica George Frederick Handel	Natalie Dessay / Emmanuelle Haïm	1:11
	11	Act 3. Scene 3. E pur così in un giorno George Frederick Handel	Natalie Dessay / Emmanuelle Haïm	0:37
	12	Act 3. Scene 3. Piangerò la sorte mia George Frederick Handel	Natalie Dessay / Emmanuelle Haïm	6:29
	13	Act 3. Scene 3. Troppo crudeli siete George Frederick Handel	Natalie Dessay / Emmanuelle Haïm	6:20
	14	Act 3. Scene 7. Voi che mie fide ancelle George Frederick Handel	Natalie Dessay / Emmanuelle Haïm	1:41
	15	Act 3. Scene 7. Forzai l'ingresso a tua salvezza, o cara! George Frederick Handel	Natalie Dessay / Emmanuelle Haïm	0:45
	16	Act 3. Scene 7. Da tempeste il legno infranto George Frederick Handel	Natalie Dessay / Emmanuelle Haïm	5:54
	17	Act 3. Sinfonia George Frederick Handel	Natalie Dessay / Emmanuelle Haïm	2:45
	18	Act 3. Final scene. Bellissima Cleopatra George Frederick Handel	Natalie Dessay / Emmanuelle Haïm	0:43
	19	Act 3. Final scene. Caro! Bella! George Frederick Handel	Natalie Dessay / Emmanuelle Haïm	4:56

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Natalie Dessay / Emmanuelle Haïm

Handel: Cleopatra Arias

AllMusic Review by Stephen Eddins

Track Listing