Handel's Faramondo stylishly executed

Virtuoso singing from Philippe Jaroussky and Diego Fasolis’s stylish conducting add to the attraction of this recording.

Composer: Handel
Repertoire: Faramondo
Artists: Soloists, Coro della Radio Svizzera, I Barocchisti/Diego Fasolis
Rating:  3/5
Genre: Opera
Label: Virgin Classics 2166112

After a short run and one-off revival in 1738, Faramondo was shelved until its first modern staging in the mid-1970s. The opera’s impenetrable plot, based on a mythical account of ancient French history, is offset by Handel’s succession of winning arias. This magnificent score unfolds at a brisk canter, driven by its rich mix of solo display pieces, rapid changes of mood and bold choruses. Max Emanuel Cencic’s steely countertenor may not please everyone, but it suits Faramondo’s impassioned heroism. Virtuoso singing from Philippe Jaroussky and Diego Fasolis’s stylish conducting add to the work’s attractions.