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HANDEL: AMOR E GELOSIA - OPERATIC DUETS Patricia Ciofi (Soprano), Joyce Di Donato (Mezzo); Il Complesso Barocco; Conductor: Alan Curtis. Virgin Veritas 5 45628 2 *****

This is a delightful disc. Handel wrote wonderful music for the voice, especially in his duets, which generally occur at critical points in his operas and mostly deal with lovers' joy or sorrow. His subtle use of harmony and melodic line weave a tapestry of sound that manages to convey the complexity of the emotions while still retaining a classical purity. Neither of the singers here (an Italian soprano and an American mezzo) have previously been much associated with Handel, but on the evidence of this disc both have real affinity for this music. Their voices blend sinuously, capturing the subtle inflections of Handel's beautiful love music, particularly in the pieces from the lesser known Poro. The accompaniment of Il Complesso Barocco supports the singers with refined delicacy, making for a ravishing recital. www.virginclassics.com

Colman Morrissey