Search - George Frideric Handel, Richard Auldon Clark, Jennifer Lane :: Handel - Tolomeo / J. Lane · B. Harris · A. Matthews · M.A. Hart · P. Castaldi · Manhattan CO · R.A. Clark

This is possibly the worst opera recording i have ever heard

Der Händelfan | 02/14/1999

(1 out of 5 stars)

"This is possibly the worst opera recording i have ever heard. Unfortunately, i bought it because it is the only recording of an otherwise fine Handel opera. The recording quality is so bad that one cannot concentrate on the work. Artificial reverb seems to have been added to at least the voices, and the effect is pitifully bad. The orchestral playing is laughable in its lack of expression, especially the all-important violins. I have never heard such hackneyed playing from a string section, even by school orchestras. The singing is generally dreadful, sounding as if the singers learned their parts very quickly and just wanted to get through the thing. Most of the Handel opera recordings put out by conductors Clark and Palmer on various Vox labels are really horrible. It is a shame that they have put out so many of them, mostly premieres, therefore denying the better European groups the incentive to record these operas instead of these dreadful American groups (Clark conducts the Manhattan Chamber Orchestra and Palmer conducts the Brewer Chamber Orchestra)."

First Class Handel

Romeo | 12/09/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is Handel at his finest---Tolomeo was written in his headiest London times, with not one but three superstar Italian singers at his disposal, the legendary castrato Senesino foremost among them. And Vox' cast boasts the superb Jennifer Lane in the title role created for him by Handel. Listeners must note and be moved by Tolomeo's last act aria Stille amare which Lane dispatches with great, moving beauty and handsome tone.
The budget price is, frankly, a steal for such a polished performance from all the artists. This is missing only that last measure of refinement from the orchestra, but all in all a must!! Buy it."

Opera Tolomeo, Handel, R.A.Clark, Lane, Castaldi, Bird, etc

Der Händelfan | Herford | 08/28/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This one defies more variously reminders, this one would be worst operas CD production of all times on-near, I have purchased this CD nevertheless after a long hesitation also because there isn't any additional available photo at the moment. In my opinion the then world premiere photo was altogether one quite good throw. Jennifer Lane sang passionately and elegantly. Peter Castaldi was also very good. The other Interpretern also rendered good or satisfactory services. The much-maligned R.A. Clark and his Manhattan Chamber Orchestra made a passable impression in the baroque subject . (Clark tries to get rare and contemporary American music particularly). Briefly said it isn't the worst work of my over 300 CDs with works of the tall Georg Fridrich Händel. Furthermore much joy with the works of G.F.H."