Handel: Agrippina (2011)

Agrippina, composed in Venice in 1709, is generally accounted as Handel's first operatic masterpieces. Musically it combines a number of perfectly timed and characteristically Handelian tunes with the extensive and dramatically shaped recitatives of an earlier era of Italian opera. The libretto, based on the ancient Roman story of the mother of the emperor Nero and her involvement in intrigues to depose Claudius, crackles with satire and is thought to contain references to Italian politics of the day. Even those who feel ... Read More

Agrippina, composed in Venice in 1709, is generally accounted as Handel's first operatic masterpieces. Musically it combines a number of perfectly timed and characteristically Handelian tunes with the extensive and dramatically shaped recitatives of an earlier era of Italian opera. The libretto, based on the ancient Roman story of the mother of the emperor Nero and her involvement in intrigues to depose Claudius, crackles with satire and is thought to contain references to Italian politics of the day. Even those who feel that the somewhat free, even flamboyant Baroque opera interpretations of conductor René Jacobs may sometimes go too far are likely to be won over by this entertaining reading. Jacobs tweaks details throughout for dramatic effect. He uses an autograph score in preference to the more commonly performed first edition, a decision that seems to increase the proportion of recitatives, but this is not a disadvantage: he deploys a very large battery of continuo instruments that bring the... Read Less