Handel: Agrippina

Soloists: Alexandrina Pendatchanska, Jennifer Rivera, Sunhae Im, Bejun Mehta. Akademie fur Alte Musik Berlin. Rene Jacobs Harmonia Mundi HMC 902088.90 3-CD ***

Handel's opera on Agrippina, mother of Nero, is an early work composed for the 1710 carnival in Venice. With its engaging arias, it was his first great success. In pursuit of dramatic authenticity, Rene Jacobs has brought a new perspective by omitting some arias usually performed and adding in others that he feels are demanded by the dramatic content. The result is somewhat of a hotch-potch, accentuated by the conductor's habit of pulling about the rhythms and dynamics for dramatic effect. The singers are engaging, with Bejun Mehta particularly impressive as Ottone. The overall result is exciting, and will be appealing to those who like their Handel in Technicolour – although it may prove less engaging on repeated listening. harmoniamundi.com