Playlist
Playlist: Handel Opera Arias
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FIRST PUBLISHED 16 MAY 2026
Continuo's latest playlist explores Handel's vast and rich output of operatic arias, ahead of several productions of his operas taking place across the UK this summer. The playlist features a selection of arias from twelve operas, written by Handel between 1705 (Almira) and 1738 (Serse) comprising many of his best-loved works. Hear them performed by singers including Philippe Jaroussky, Cecilia Bartoli, Magdalena Kožená, Tim Mead, Iestyn Davies and many others.
Explore live performances of Handel operas across the UK this summer.
TRACK LIST
Almira, HWV 1 (1705)
Boston Early Music Festival Orchestra, Paul O'Dette & Stephen Stubbs
1. Act I: ‘Geloso tormento’ (Almira) | Emóke Baráth,
Rinaldo, HWV 7 (1711)
Academy of Ancient Music & Christopher Hogwood
2. Act II: 'Lascia ch'io pianga (Almirena) | Cecilia Bartoli
3. Act III: 'Or la tromba' (Rinaldo) | David Daniels
4. Act I: 'Vieni o cara' (Argante) | Gerald Finley
5. Act I: 'Cara sposa' (Rinaldo) | David Daniels
Amadigi di Gaula, HWV 11 (1715)
Early Opera Company & Christian Curnyn
(Recording supported by a grant from Continuo Foundation)
6. Act I: Cavatina ed Accompagnato 'Notte, amica dei riposi' (Amadigi) | Tim Mead
7. Act II: 'Pena tiranna' (Dardano) | Hilary Summers
8. Act III: 'Sento la gioia' (Amadigi) | Tim Mead
Giulio Cesare in Egitto, HWV 17 (1724)
Concerto Köln & René Jacobs
9. Act II: 'V'adoro, pupille' (Cleopatra) | Barbara Schlick
10. Act III: 'E pur cosi' - 'Piangerò' (Cleopatra) | Barbara Schlick
11. Act III: 'Da Tempeste' (Cleopatra) | Barbara Schlick
Tamerlano, HWV 18 (1719)
Il Pomo D'oro & Riccardo Minasi
12. Act III: 'Cor di padre' (Asteria) | Karina Gauvin
Rodelinda, regina de' Longobardi, HWV 19 (1719)
The English Concert & Harry Bicket
13. Act I: 'Sono il colpi della sorte' (Unulfo) | Tim Mead
14. Act I: 'Confusa si miri' (Bertarido) | Iestyn Davies
Partenope, HWV 27 (1699)
Early Opera Company & Christian Curnyn
15. Act I: 'Amore ed il destin' (Partenope) | Rosemary Joshua
Orlando, HWV 31 (1719)
Les Arts Florissants & William Christie
16. Act I: 'Fammi combattere' (Orlando) | Patricia Bardon
17. Act I: 'Lascia amore' (Zoroastro) | Harry Van Der Kamp
18. Act II: 'Vaghe pupille, non piangete' (Orlando) | Patricia Bardon
Ariodante, HWV 33 (1734)
Le Concert d'Astrée & Emmanuel Haïm
19. Act II: 'Scherza infida' (Ariodante) | Philippe Jaroussky
Alcina, HWV 34 (1735)
Les Musiciens du Louvre & Marc Minkowski
20. Act I: 'Tornami a vagheggiar' (Morgana) | Erin Morley
21. Act II: 'Ah, mio cor!' (Alcina) | Magdalena Kožená
Giustino, HWV 37 (1737)
Freiburg Baroque Orchestra & Nicholas McGegan
22. Act III: 'Zeffiretto, che scorre nel prato' (Giustino) | Michael Chance
Serse, HWV 40 (1738)
Early Opera Company & Christian Curnyn
23. Act I: 'Ombra mai fu' (Serse) | Anna Stéphany
24. Act III: 'Crude furie degl'orridi abissi' (Serse) | Anna Stéphany
25. Act II: Arioso 'Per dar fine alla mia pena' (Arsamene) | David Daniels
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