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Martin Handley introduces a recital recorded last week at Kings Place, London, featuring countertenor Iestyn Davies, accompanied by The English Concert under Peter Whelan, in a cornucopia of pieces composed for Handel’s London altos, both castrati and female singers. The repertoire is a journey through the composer's different London venues: opera theatres, churches and private houses, where he enjoyed enormous success. Davies includes arias from operas such as Giulio Cesare and Alcina, as well as music from oratorios like Theodora, anthems, pastorals and cantatas, all mixed with Handel’s orchestral dances and sinfonias.

G.F. Handel:
Concerto from Act 1, Ottone
‘Presti Omai’, from Giulio Cesare
‘Pompe vane di morte’…’Dove Sei?’, from Rodelinda
Entrée des songes agréables, from Alcina
Entrée des songes funestes, from Alcina
Entrée des songes agréables effrayés, from Alcina
Le combat des songes funestes et agréables, from Alcina
'Sorge nel petto', from Rinaldo
Partenope, Act 3 Sinfonia
‘Splenda l’alba in oriente' - Italian cantanta No. 5
Sonata Op.5 No 4 in G Major, HWV399
Ariodante, Act 2, opening Sinfonia
'Se in fiorito', from Giulio Cesare
Serse, Act 3 sinfonia, No.34
'I Will Magnify Thee', HWV 250b

Iestyn Davies, countertenor
The English Concert
Peter Whelan, conductor

Photo by Ben Ealovega