Sandrine Piau - Handel Opera Seria

If this isn't the greatest of all Handel aria CDs, then I really don't know what it is. Just look at the reviews here and at amazon.co.uk. I have been fortunate enough to see and hear Sandrine Piau as a gorgeous Cleopatra in a magic performance of Handel's Giulio Cesare (under Jacobs' baton), a few months ago here in Amsterdam. Piau's stunning vocalism is sheer delight (as is her acting on stage, I can tell you). What a divine voice! With her vocal lightness and agility, restrained vibrato, catching energy and musical imagination, Sandrine Piau is the ideal Baroque soprano, putting more "famous" or overhyped Handelian "star" singers in the shade.More than any other Handel aria CD, this recording goes from one superb track to another, covering a great variety of dramatic sentiments and instrumental colors. Each of the twelve numbers on this disc is a carefully selected pearl. Particularly touching are Cleopatra's despair in 'Se pieta' (Giulio Cesare), Rodelinda's grief for her deceased husband in 'Ombre piante', Melissa's broken heart in 'Ah spietato' (Amadigi), the intense drama in 'Cor di padre' (Tamerlano), and Deidamia's distress at losing Achilles in 'M'ai resa infelice'. I really couldn't wish for more on a desert isle.Piau is masterly accompanied by Christophe Rousset and his youthful ensemble Les Talens Lyriques. Their period-instrument playing is sublime. Listen, for example, to the plaintive oboe in 'Ah spietato' and the tempestuous violins in 'Combattuta da due venti'. So, do yourself a favor and buy this heavenly CD! You won't regret it for a second.*Update: Piau's Mozart aria CD is equally impressive. You better buy both discs..

I have always enjoyed Sandrine's work - a wonderful voice - she relaxes me as the music washes over me

It doesn't often happen that a release gets so much unanimous enthusiastic praise from both critics and audiences alike, particularly if the release is from an independent company and the singer is not a heavily promoted "star". But here it is - Sandrine Piau's Handel recital on Naive seems to be outshining many vocal releases of the past year (it was released in 2004) and the reason for this stir is simple: it is a stupendous disc from a great singer who deserves a wider recognition.Everything is special here, even the cover. In an era when so many solo recitals try to attract us through flashy covers (and often not much more inside), Piau is courageous enough to appear in what may well be one of the most unflattering cover photos ever made. Through this photo, Piau seems to be making a bold statement: "I am not a cover girl, I am an artist".And what an artist! Every phrase in this recital is delivered with utmost honesty and spectacular technical assurance, nothing is calculated or contrived. What is even more important, every Handelian heroine portrayed here is vividly brought to life. There is not a moment of monotony or routine - the selections cover a variety of moods and allow the artist to display not only her stupendous technique but also phenomenal interpretative gifts.It is impossible to get tired of Piau's singing! Her voice and singing style should appeal to both camps of opera lovers: devotees of the HIP movement and those who are afraid of HIP because of the stigma of "white, bland voices" that became a trademark of the movement. Piau's voice is small and delicate, but there is nothing "white" or bland about it. It is a gorgeous instrument, flexible and colourful, able to convey a wide range of emotions without resorting to "special effects".It is of course tempting to compare Piau's recital with the other highly popular Handel discs of 2004 (by Lorraine Hunt, Sarah Connolly, Renee Fleming) but comparisons don't really make much sense here for each of those recitals has its own virtues and each singer her own faithful audience. Yet Piau's disc risks being overlooked in the USA since the French soprano is not quite a household name here (in spite of some marvellous solo recitals in her discography). Let's hope this fantastic new disc will change this. (Kicek)