Semele: George Frideric Handel
by Brian J. Hay
This is an Oratorio not an opera. It was written to be performed in concert but it would make an excellent operatic production. The story is a good one and the passions it explores are timeless. The music in this piece, even though it was set to English, is well suited to the bel canto style of singing preferred for Italian opera. And that's fine. The definition of the term 'bel canto' stems from the idea of singing beautifully and lyrically in Italian.
The cast in this performance all have voices made to order for bel canto singing. Rosemary Joshua, Richard Croft and Hilary Summers stand head and shoulders above the rest. Summers has a beautiful contralto that soars along the lines of the music as she sings it. Richard Croft delivers some of the best work from a tenor that I've heard since seeing Kresimir Spicer sing the title role of 'Idomeneo'. His voice is rich and strong. It's also beguilingly gentle. And then there's Rosemary Joshua. This lady has a ravishing voice that seems made for bel canto singing. Her tones are clear and crisp. Her coloratura is precise and unforced. All of her linguistic sounds are soft, yet clear. And she has impeccable diction.
The rest of the cast is strong as well. Gail Pearson's tones are crisp and clear. Her voice is delicate but radiantly powerful. Counter-tenor Stephen Wallace sounds much like a natural male soprano. His falsetto (like many) never sounds forced. Brindley Sherratt sings in a rich ringing baritone that's never harsh. All of these singers use musical phrasing that flows easily.
The playing of the Early Opera Company under Conductor Christian Curnyn is extremely mannered. That could be a problem with for some of Handel's scores. Guilio Cesaré (for instance) is pretty boisterous. It's well suited to a 'rock and roll chop'. The score of 'Semele' isn't. It relies on melodic lines and subtle ornamentation. The string passages have a lyrical flow. There's a lot of choral writing but it's tasteful and restrained. This is a mature work and the delicacy of the playing compliments that.
There's an abundance of highlights on this set. Semele's aria and the choral finale that follows is a jewel. 'Hence Iris, Hence Away', from the second act is another one. 'Lay Your Doubts and Fears Aside' is a showcase for the beauty of a tenor voice. The list is a long one. The music making on this set is beautiful.
It gets the highest recommendation.
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Soprano Rosemary Joshua
… An Exquisite Voice for Bel Canto Singing …
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