^{FIRST PUBLISHED 19 OCT 2024}

Handel in Rome explores a key phase in Handel’s early career, when his time in the Eternal City significantly shaped his compositional style. Under the direction of John Butt, the Dunedin Consort presents three of Handel’s Italian cantatas, written during his Roman sojourn. Marking the recording debut of soprano Nardus Williams, this album highlights the composer’s engagement with the dramatic and lyrical possibilities of the Italian cantata form.

Handel’s time in Rome, beginning in 1706, marked a pivotal moment in his development. Though opera was banned in the city due to papal decree, the young composer found a creative outlet through secular cantatas, where he could explore the dramatic possibilities of the human voice. This recording brings to life three of Handel's cantatas from that period: Ero e Leandro, Tra le fiamme, and Armida abbandonata. Each work showcases Handel’s ability to blend intricate storytelling with virtuoso vocal lines, resulting in music that is at once dramatic and intimate.

Nardus Williams, winner of the Rising Talent award at the 2022 International Opera Awards, shines in these cantatas, delivering a performance full of emotional depth and vocal precision. The Dunedin Consort, led by Butt, brings out the lush textures of Handel's compositions, expertly balancing instrumental richness with the vocal line.

This album, released on Linn Records, is available to stream on Apple and Spotify, and to purchase here.