Barry Murray writes:
>I would like to broaden my musical experience by exploring some operas
>of the baroque period. I'm wondering if anyone can offer some suggestions
>as to where I might start?
From my view, the best opera music of the baroque period comes from
Handel. I suggest "Flavio" on Harmonia Mundi and "Ottone" on Hyperion
or Harmonia Mundi. These are high-priced recordings. You might want to
consider single discs of Handel arias from operas; you'll miss the plot
etc., but I'm not convinced that's much of a loss. There's a magical disc
of Handel Heroic Arias from James Bowman and Robert King on Hyperion which
is desert island material. Also, Harmonia Mundi a few years ago released
about four or five single discs devoted to Handel opera arias; I'm not sure
they are still available singly but they are still sold as a set.
Don Satz
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