GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL (1685-1759): Atalanta, HWV 35.

Description: Unlike many of his operas, this one was composed for an occasion, the royal wedding of the Prince of Wales in 1736 which means that it had to have a happy ending and which also provided a rarity in an Italian opera which normally had only a succession of solo arias - two duets for the principal lovers. "Magnificent...the most vibrant, exhilarating stretch of musical showmanship this organization has offered in many a long season" - San Francisco Chronicle, about this performance recorded live in 2005. 2 CDs. Italian-English libretto. Dominique Labelle, Susanne Rydén (sopranos), Cécile van de Sant (mezzo), Michael Slattery (tenor), Philip Cutlip, Corey McKern (baritones), Philharmonia Chorale, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra; Nicholas McGegan.