Handel Semele
Justino Diaz, Mark Deller, Sheila Armstrong, Helen Watts,
Felicity Palmer, Robert Tear, Edgar Fleet
Amor Artis Chorale
English Chamber Orchestra
Johannes Somary
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Semele is not Handel's most dramatic opera, but it offers splendidly flowing, dignified music. This performance is distinguished by its beautiful solo singing. In 1973, when it was first released, some of the soloists were not yet as famous as they have since become, but could they sing! Somary is a firm if unexciting conductor, his chorus is spiritedly professional, and the E.C.O. plays with virtuosity. There have been more recent excellent releases of this music...but Somary's version can more than hold its own. --Paul Turok