Handel, G F - Parnasso in Festa (2 CD) - Halls, Matthew

The King's Consort, conducted by Matthew Halls, presents the premiere recording of Handel's opera Parnasso in Festa: a unique example of a full-scale festive serenade (or Festa teatrale) from Handel's vast creative career. This form was rare in England, but had developed alongside opera in Italy, where it was popular for commemorating internationally significant special occasions such as royal weddings. Parnasso in Festa was written for the wedding of Princess Anne and Prince William of Orange. In Handel's serenade, the three Muses, their leader Apollo, his son Orpheus, and Mars (the god of war) gather for a celebration to commemorate the wedding of Peleus and Thetis. The mythological musicians Apollo and Orpheus must have been particularly appealing to Handel. Unlike many composers, he never composed an opera based on the legend of Orpheus and Eurydice. His only depiction of the mythical musician in his entire oeuvre forms the core of the middle section of the serenade. For a composer who later excelled in portraying the musical legends of Timotheus and St. Cecilia and who was described by his contemporaries as "the Orpheus of our time," the portrayal of Orpheus is remarkably compelling. Created two years before Alexander's celebrations and five years before the Song for St. Cecilia's Day, the emotional center of Parnasso in Festa is devoted to exploring the power of music. This magnificent masterpiece has not received the wider attention that only frequent performances and extensive recordings can bring. It is presented here in a dazzling performance by an exceptional group of musicians, graced by a brilliant ensemble of soloists led by Carolyn Sampson.