Bob Draper responds to Ron Chaplin:

>>One thing I don't understand about the recording is having a contralto,
>>Helen Watts, sing the role of Israelite Man.  Was this
>>customary during Handel's time?
>
>This is one of the reasons I wrote the other day about the
>castralto/falsetto question.  Personally I prefer a man to a  woman in this
>role whether he has all his faculties or not.

I'd prefer to go with women singing these Baroque roles every time.  I love
the speaking voice of women and the singing voice of women: I just love
everything about women.  So, I have no problem recognizing these females
voices as belonging to male characters.  Also, the story lines in Baroque
operas and oratorios are rather lame; it's the music which attracts me.

I don't have any of the Brilliant Classics releases of Handel vocal works
and doubt I'll be buying them.  The HIP recordings I have suit me just
right.  Although Brilliant prices are as low anyone could reasonably want,
it just wouldn't be a good use of my music funds.

Don Satz
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