“This is a stunning collection of Handel opera numbers. For originality, risk-taking, and erudition, it towers above its predecessors. It also benefits from its mix of soloists: having chosen the music for its expressive license, David Bates brings together world-class vocal and instrumental virtuosos to perform it.”
Handel’s Unsung Heroes from David Bates, Leo Duarte, Joe Qiu, Thomas Gould, Lucy Crowe, Iestyn Davies, Christine Rice, and La Nuova Musica has been named BBC Music Magazine’s Record of the Month. Review by Berta Joncus.
“This is a stunning collection of Handel opera numbers. For originality, risk-taking, and erudition, it towers above its predecessors. It also benefits from its mix of soloists: having chosen the music for its expressive license, David Bates brings together world-class vocal and instrumental virtuosos to perform it.
The programme was inspired by Handel’s innovative opera scoring, the titular ‘Unsung Heroes’ being the many unknown instrumentalists for whom Handel crafted solos. Here Bates taps Joe Qiu (bassoon), Paul Sharp (trumpet), Leo Duarte (oboe) and Thomas Gould (violin) to join his band La Nuova Musica alongside vocal superstars Christine Rice, Iestyn Davies and Lucy Crowe. Bates includes an unusual number of instrumental movements from Handel operas alongside the vocal numbers, supplies his own embellishments and, when conducting, gives the performers ample space to use Handel’s inventions as a launchpad for their own.”
Read more on BBC Music Magazine
Photo by: Andy Staples
