Voor diegenen die Rolando Villazon associeren met de lyrische tenorhelden van het 19e-eeuwse opera repertoire (en wie doet dat niet?) zal dit Handel-album als een totale verrassing komen. Het tweede solo-album van de Mexicaanse stertenor blijkt echter een schot in de roos. Wat Villazon laat horen aan kleur, dynamiek, power, subtiliteit, inleving en drama doet volledig recht aan de muziek van Handel, wiens 250ste sterfdag dit jaar wordt herdacht. Naast wereldvermaarde originele tenor-aria's (Pastorello; Figlia mia) zingt Villazon ook een aantal getransponeerde mezzo-aria's (o.a. Ombra mai fu). Barokspecialist Paul McCreesh en diens Gabrieli Players zijn fantastische begeleiders.
TRACKLIST 1
1. Aria: Ciel e terra armi di sdegno [Tamerlano HWV 17 - Performance Edition by Benjamin Bayl & Paul McCreesh / Act 1] (03:22)
2. Accompagnato: Fatto inferno [Rodelinda - Performance Edition by Benjamin Bayl & Paul McCreesh / Act 3] (02:45)
3. Aria: Pastorello d'un povero armento [Rodelinda - Performance Edition by Benjamin Bayl & Paul McCreesh / Act 3] (04:46)
4. Accompagnato: Frondi tenere [Serse - Performance Edtion by King's Music / Act 1] (00:42)
5. Arioso: Ombra mai f [Serse - Performance Edtion by King's Music / Act 1] (02:42)
6. Aria: Pi che penso alle fiamme del core [Serse - Performance Edtion by King's Music / Act 1] (06:52)
7. Aria: Crude furie degl' orridi [Serse - Performance Edtion by King's Music / Act 3] (03:42)
8. Aria: Scherza infida in grembo al drudo [Ariodante HWV 33 - Performance Edition by Matthias Spindler / Act 2] (09:44)
9. Aria: Dopo notte, atra e funesta [Ariodante HWV 33 - Performance Edition by Matthias Spindler / Act 3] (06:42) 10. Rec.: Oh, perme lieto - Accompagnato e Rec.: Fremi, minaccia [Tamerlano HWV 17 - Performance Edition by Benjamin Bayl & (03:43)
11. Arioso: Figlia mia [Tamerlano HWV 17 - Performance Edition by Benjamin Bayl & Paul McCreesh / Act 3] (02:08)
12. Accompagnato: Tu, spietato, il vedrai [Tamerlano HWV 17 - Performance Edition by Benjamin Bayl & Paul McCreesh / Act 3] (03:25)
13. Aria: "Cos la tortorella" (S. Giovanni) [La Resurrezione (1708) / Parte Prima] (04:19)
14. Aria: "Caro Figlio!" (S. Giovanni) [La Resurrezione (1708) / Parte Seconda] (04:34)
TRACKLIST 2
1. Accompagnato: Frondi tenere - Arioso: Ombra mai f [Serse - Performance Edtion by King's Music / Act 1] (03:59) 2. Aria: Ciel e terra armi di sdegno [Tamerlano HWV 17 - Performance Edition by Benjamin Bayl & Paul McCreesh / Act 1] (03:27)
3. Aria: Scherza infida in grembo al drudo [Ariodante HWV 33 - Performance Edition by Matthias Spindler / Act 2] (11:13)
4. Handel: Arias - Interviews Rolando Villazn & Paul McCreesh (05:47)
5. Handel: Arias - Interviews Rolando Villazn & Paul McCreesh (05:24)
6. Picture Gallery / Handel: Arias / Villazn
7. Discography / Handel: Arias / Villazn
