Handel: Jephtha

Reviews:

“David Portillo is presented with charisma, self-confident, with a spectacular vocal dexterity in the role of Jephtha. We would like to highlight the countertenor Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen, who was very strong, and the brilliant soprano Lauren Snouffer as Iphis, who gave an equally impressive reading. We were surprised by the expressive singing of Clara Osowski as Storgè. Finally, we liked the pure voice of Neal Davies, bass-baritone playing Zebul, and the vocal presence of Katelyn Lee as the angel. The chorus is one of the highlights of this version, while the orchestra invites the listener to enjoy the true instrumental colors of the period. Dame Jane Glover conducts with unrelenting conviction, as well as a refined sensitivity and a passionate and ardent focus” —Carme Miró, Sonograma

“Glover’s clear-eyed yet impassioned interpretation of the score is completely convincing, and this new recording is compelling, clearly benefitting from the bond the conductor has formed with many of these performers over her more than two decades as music director of Music of the Baroque.” –William Kempster, Fanfare

“[T]his happens to be the first recording of this work that really challenges the Gardiner recording from 1988…The cast here, with perhaps only a few people that most Handel aficionados will recognize, is uniformly excellent, as good as Gardiner’s more star-studded lineup. The orchestra is superb, with rich tone and sharp contrasts, guided by Glover’s deep and long-lived experience in this music…If you don’t know Jephtha, you are missing something. This is a good place to start.” –Simon Ritter, Audiophile Audition

“The soloists are uniformly splendid..Even soprano Katelyn Lee, who, as the Angel, gets a single recitative and aria, is marvelous. (The rest of the time Lee sings in her usual place in the chorus.) Soprano Lauren Snouffer, mezzo Clara Osowski, and tenor David Portillo are always clear in diction and mellifluous in tone…. [this new recording] from Music of the Baroque under Glover, surely ranks up there with the best previous recordings…” –Ralphe P. Locke, The Arts Fuse 

“There was a time when admirers of Handel would find it difficult to access anything other than a few oratorios and operas; Messiah reigned supreme. Things have changed in recent years as this splendid performance of the composer’s dramatic Jephtha proves – and apart from anything else, the chance to hear the piece under Jane Glover is an opportunity is not be missed; no-one has more authority than the legendary Glover in bringing out every aspect of Handel’s glorious score, particularly with the top-notch batch of soloists she is working with here. In a recording that is both lucid and wide-ranging, Jephtha has never sounded better.” –Barry Forshaw, Classical CD Choice

“In a sea of performances…Music of the Baroque’s Jephthastands out. David Portillo brings a dashing, ringing tenor to the title role…Lauren Snouffer showcases spectacular colour and command…fast-rising young countertenor Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen, his voice molten and appealingly mild. Clara Osowski…shares some of Choen’s vocal qualities, especially that decadent middle-low register…The Music of the Baroque Chorus sounds shapely and unified across this release; the pillowy treble voices in ‘Welcome Thou’ are a special treat…a worthy document of an exceedingly impressive live performance.” –Hannah Edgar, Opera Now