Look at Xavier Sabata, all wet and gladiatorial! It’s one way of selling a countertenor disc, though this one shouldn’t need it: Sabata’s selection of 18th-century Italian arias, in which a variety of troubled characters go through the mill, includes gems you won’t often hear by Orlandini, Ariosti, Handel, Hasse and others, and showcases a supple, communicative voice that is honeyed and forthright by turns. But the relentless bounce and in-your-face character of George Petrou’s orchestra won’t be to all tastes; the aria from Vivaldi’s Il Farnace – which is, admittedly, inspired by a horrific dramatic situation – sounds like it’s being played on elastic bands stretched around a biscuit tin. This does at least make for a bold contrast with Sabata’s voice, which takes on extra sweetness in these long, sinewy lines; elsewhere, the most athletic fast passages can sound choppy. He’s going to need a lot of towelling down.
