GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL (1685-1759): Semele, HWV 58.

Description: This oratorio (Handel would not call it such; it was, to him, an opera without staging) dates from 1741 and, in its telling of a mortal's desire for immortality through Jupiter's love for her, it offers much opportunity for psychological subtlety, gentle humor and emotional tenderness towards most of the characters which makes it a rather more humanistic offering than much of what was on display in England, in English, at the time. First complete recording on period instruments. 3 CDs. Libretto included. Rosemary Joshua (soprano), Hilary Summers (contralto), Richard Croft (tenor), Brindley Sherratt (bass), Stephen Wallace (countertenor), Early Opera Company and Chorus; Christian Curnyn.