Canadian Artists Release Recording of Händel Delights

"The oratorios from which Karina Gauvin and Marie-Nicole Lemieux perform excerpts on Streams of Pleasure were premiered between 1744 and 1750 and are among Handel’s last compositions. Soprano and contralto are joined for this pleasurable collection by internationally acclaimed early music ensemble Il Complesso Barocco under its musical director Alan Curtis. Highly regarded contralto Marie-Nicole Lemieux has recorded for numerous labels, and now enjoys an exclusive contract with Naïve, for which she has recorded the title roles in Vivaldi’s operas Griselda and Orlando furioso, and La Fida Ninfa. In recent times she has released a critically acclaimed programme of Vivaldi arias with the Ensemble Matheus under Jean-Christophe Spinosi. Fellow Canadian soprano Karina Gauvin’s has recorded for labels including ATMA, Astrée, and Dorian, and has appeared on Naïve’s recording of Vivaldi’s Tito Manlio as well Handel’s Ezio, Alcina, and Tolomeo with I’l Complesso Barocco for DG and DG Archiv." [Source] Listen to excerpts from the album here and check out the complete track listing after the jump.

George Frideric Handel  (1685-1759)

Belshazzar: ‘Destructive war’* 
Theodora: ‘To thee, thou glorious son of worth’*** 
Alexander Balus: ‘Fury with red sparkling eyes’*
Susanna: ‘Lead me – Crystal streams in murmurs flowings’**
Judas Maccabaeus: ‘From this dread scene’***
Theodora: ‘Streams of pleasure ever flowing’***
Theodora: ‘Ah! whither should we fly? – As with rosy steps the morn’*
Joseph and his brethren: ‘Prophetic raptures swell my breast’**
Joshua: ‘Our limpid streams with freedom flow’***
Solomon: ‘Can I see my infant gor’d’** 
Alexander Balus: Fair virtue shall charm me’*
Solomon: ‘Thou fair inhabitant – Welcome as the dawn of day’***
Hercules: ‘Forgive me – My father’**
Theodora: ‘But why art thou disquieted – Oh! that I on wings could rise’**
Belshazzar: ‘Great victor, at your feet I bow’***

Karina Gauvin (soprano) *
Marie-Nicole Lemieux (contralto) **

Il Complesso Barocco
Alan Curtis