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For an expansion on Handel, I recommend exploring his stage music and listening to some of his fantastic arias, which offer a rich array of material. As a broad and straightforward entry point, I suggest the collection Best of Handel Arias on YouTube, comprising a total of 21 tracks, including notable pieces such as “Lascia Ch’io Pianga” (Track No. 11) and “Ombra Mai Fu” (Track No. 18), which are arguably his greatest hits. While there are countless recordings of these arias available on YouTube, selecting the ones that resonate with personal preferences can be a rewarding task. The YouTube playlist link is here.
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Alternatively, to explore a range of performers and vocal compositions by Handel, I recommend a concert recording by the Academy of Ancient Music under the direction of Laurence Cummings, featuring sopranists Mary Bevan and Jennifer France. The concert, titled Handel’s Heroines | Academy of Ancient Music [Full Concert], was recorded on March 12, 2020, at the West Rioad Concert Hall, Cambridge, UK. It has a total duration of 1 hour and 45 minutes, comprising 17 tracks, including several purely instrumental pieces. The YouTube link to the full concert is here.
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It’s worth noting that my recommendations come with a caveat regarding the typical operatic intonation of voices, predominant in the suggested pieces. Personally, I do not appreciate excessive vibrato and tremolo in sung notes. I prefer sung tones to have minimal vibrato and tremolo, with perhaps a slight resonance on sustained notes, akin to the gentle lingering of long trumpet tones. However, I acknowledge that these preferences may not be universally shared, and I still recommend highly esteemed performances that may lean towards a more operatic style.