Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

CLASSICAL

Karina Gauvin; Marie-Nicole Lemieux; Il Complesso Barocco, Alan Curtis

Handel: Streams of Pleasure (Naïve)

Handel is always as much about the singer as about the music with the distinctiveness and personality in the voice on the same plane as tastefulness of interpretation. Karina Gauvin and Handel are a match made in heaven. She is an ideal soprano in the florid coloratura with wide the emotional states and often melting lyricism so common in Handel's vocal music. Partnered with one of the most exciting true contraltos around in Marie-Nicole Lemieux, plus an excellent period orchestra, you have a most winning release of arias and duets from nine late Handel oratorios.

Highlights abound: Lemieux's furious drive in Destructive war (Belshazzar), Gauvin's effortless technique in Prophetic raptures (Joseph and his Brethren), the heart rending Forgive me-My father (Hercules) and the soul-searching Can I see my infant gor'd (Solomon) -- the famous scene where the true mother yields her baby before the King. There is much else to enjoy in this splendidly ordered and sung collection. 'Ö'Ö'Ö'Ö1/2

-- James Manishen

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 11, 2012 G4

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