This recording of Alceste is performed by the Early Opera Company and Christian Curnyn, whose other Handel recordings for Chandos have all received glowing accolades: Semele, for instance, was an Editor’s Choice in Gramophone and one of the Records of 2007 in The Sunday Times. The recording of Flavio was nominated for a Gramophone Award in 2011, in the Baroque Vocal category.In Alceste, Admetus, the terminally ill King of Thessaly, is promised by Apollo that he can defer his premature death if another person volunteers to die in his place. Alcestis, the beloved wife of Admetus, bravely sacrifices herself to die in his place. The hero Hercules visits his grieving friend Admetus, resolves to travel to Hades, overpowers Pluto, returns Alcestis to the world of the living, and restores her to Admetus.
“The score is of superlative quality and shows that Handel understood perfectly that for this quintessentially English theatrical impact the music had to make its impact immediately... Curnyn understands this too, and this performance has wonderful breadth... Crowe brings a gorgeous sensuality to ['Gentle Morpheus']... Hulett paces and phrases his short final aria 'Tune your harps' beautifully... Foster-Williams is impressively implacable in his single aria” International Record Review
Gramophone Magazine Editor's Choice
BBC Music Magazine Opera Choice
BBC Music Magazine Awards Opera Finalist
Chandos: CHAN0788
