Gluck was the great reformer of 18th-century opera, humanising the stilted conventions of the time by introducing emotionally real characters.
Here, more than 300 years later, Daniel Behle tackles a wide cross-section of the composer’s arias.
Some, such as Orfeo's great lament J'ai perdu mon Eurydice (immortalised by Kathleen Ferrier as What is life to me without thee?), are well known.
However, there are also many unfamiliar arias here, some appearing on record for the first time.
The range of this recital shows the versatility of this great composer, and the performances by Behle are exemplary, bringing out the clarity and the humanity of the music.
This is a seminal release showcasing the music of a composer whose music deserves much wider recognition.
