At the end of 1706, the 21-year-old Handel arrived in Rome from Germany and immediately started making a stir in the wider musical world. The three vocal and choral works chosen by Giulio Prandi and his Pavia-based Ghislieri Consort, all recorded live in concert, date from the ensuing 12 months. Dixit Dominus sounds spirited and shapely, if not ideally pointed; the higher choral voices especially seem far back in the mix. British soprano Rachel Redmond impresses among a mixed bag of soloists. Handel geeks will be more excited by the two relatively unfamiliar cantatas. Ah Che Troppo Ineguali comprises a recitative and long aria, sung with poise by the soprano Maria Espada. Donna, Che in Ciel is more substantial, and we can hear Handel’s confidence and originality in arias such as Sorge Pure dall’Orrido Averno, which has unison strings overlapping with and anticipating the vocal melody, playing with our expectations.
