Well, now, I could hardly have a ‘prepare ye the way of the Lord / make His path straight’ theme and not include Handel, now could I? I’m pretty sure there is a law about that sort of thing. The…
Tag: g.f. handel
Advent Calendar Day 17: Rejoice Greatly (Handel)
I know, I know, I’m really milking this Rejoice business now, aren’t I? But you see, I went looking for a Magnificat, and then fell down an internet rabbit hole and found myself listening to Patricia Petibon singing Der Hölle…
Friday Fun: Spera e godi, il mio tesoro (Handel)
I went to see Opera Australia’s production of Partenope on Wednesday. It’s a wonderful, insane production of a wonderful, bonkers opera. The plot concerns Partenope, the soprano and the Queen of Naples, who is beloved by everyone, including Arsace (a…
Monday Music: El Vito (Joaquín Nin y Castellanos) sung by Patricia Petibon
Really, how gorgeous is Patricia Petibon? I mean, first there is that impeccable, light coloratura voice, full of personality, and then there is her amazing, almost outrageously expressive face. I wish there were more videos of her singing live, because…
Good Friday: He Was Despised and Rejected (Handel)
I actually sang Erbarme Dich, Mein Gott at this morning’s Good Friday service, and had every intention of posting it here. But as I was sitting at my desk, writing about last night’s Maundy Thursday service in more detail, Mayhem,…
Monday Music: Scherza Infida (G.F. Handel)
I think my love for both Handel and Ian Bostridge are pretty well established now, and if you spend much time on this blog, you will probably find yourself getting to know them rather well. Part of me feels that…
Advent Calendar Day 25: There Were Shepherds Abiding in the Fields (Handel)
Merry Christmas! I thought it fitting to end Advent with another piece from Handel’s Messiah, and this recording is a fascinating one, dating from 1930. Singing styles have changed quite a bit since then, and I think my personal preference…
Advent Calendar Day 19: Carol of the Birds (James Wheeler)
After all the sad and contemplative carols of the last few days, I thought we deserved something cheerful. But what? I was sort of tempted by Masters in this Hall, an old favourite of mine, but it’s kind of terrible,…
Advent Calendar Day 3: Comfort Ye & Every Valley (Handel)
Another piece from our yearly Advent Service, and also from Handel’s Messiah. You’d think I’d be tired of it by now, but some things never grow old…
Handel’s Messiah: Rejoice Greatly!
As anyone who has looked at the front page of this blog recently will know, I’m singing the soprano solos for a Sing Your Own Messiah production in a couple of weeks. This is the first time I’ve sung a…