Rinaldo - George Frideric Handel
Information about the opera Rinaldo by George Frideric Handel, and the best recordings available on CD or DVD, or for download.
Handel reputedly composed Rinaldo in two weeks during his first visit to London in 1710, and it was a great success at the Haymarket Theatre.
Recommended recordings on CD
Mallon/Newman/Whalen (Naxos 8.660165-67)
Recorded in Toronto, Canada, in 2004.
Opera in Concert, Aradia Baroque Ensemble, conducted by Kevin Mallon, 2004.
Cast: Marion Newman (Goffredo), Laura Whalen (Almirena), Kimberly Barber (Rinaldo), Jennifer Enna Modolo (Eustazio), Sean Watson (Argante), Barbara Hannigan (Armida).
Naxos 8.660165-67
Hogwood/Fink/Bartoli (Decca 467 087-2)
One of the finest Handel opera recordings.
Academy of Ancient Music, conducted by Christopher Hogwood, 11/1999.
Cast: Bernarda Fink (Goffredo), Cecilia Bartoli (Almirena), David Daniels (Rinaldo), Daniel Taylor (Eustazio), Gerald Finley (Argante), Luba Orgonasova (Armida).
Decca 467 087-2
Recommended recordings on DVD
Dantone/Abrahamyan/Fritsch (Opus Arte OA 1081 D)
This Glyndeborne production directed by Robert Carsen sets Handel's opera about the war of the Crusades in a boy's boarding school. Superb music and singing.
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, conducted by Ottavio Dantone, 2011.
Cast: Varduhi Abrahamyan (Goffredo), Annett Fritsch (Almirena), Sonia Prina (Rinaldo), Tim Mead (Eustazio), Luca Pisaroni (Argante), Brenda Rae (Armida).
Opus Arte OA 1081 D