Reviews
"The whole thing is a revelation."
"A cool brilliant operatic game [...] a recording that for many will seem like countertenor heaven"
The Guardian , Tim Ashley
April 2009
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"The cast is notable for the flamboyant contributions of the impressive young countertenors Max Emanuel Cencic (in the title role) and Philippe Jaroussky. Strongly recommend to diehard Handel fans."
"[...] This lively and attractive recording certainly reveals an invigorating score, swiftly paced with a wealth of incisive, tuneful arias and a welcome absence of dry recitative."
5 STARS *****
Rupert Christiansen, The Daily Telegraph
February 2009
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"Faramondo is among the least-known of Handel's operas [...] but there's plenty of good music, including two moving arias for the mezzo heroine, a tenderly interwoven Act 3 love duet and a flamboyant finale."
"Fasolis directs with strong contributions from Marina de Liso (Rosimonda), Sophie Karthauser and Philippe Jaroussky [...]"
4 STARS ****
Andrew Clark , The Financial Times
March 2009
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"Max Emanuel Cencic and Philippe Jaroussky are worth the money [..] There's terrific variety, plenty of fire, some fondant weepies and good strong , well-phrased playing from I Barocchisti directed by Diego Fasolis."
3/3 STARS *** (Highly recommended)
Opera Now
May/June 2009
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"Cencic's Faramondo is […] a complete success."
[...] He is as affecting in the hero's sighs and laments as he is formidable in bravura display."
"[…] Diego Fasoli's mercurial , dramatically alert conducting and the brilliant palying of his period ensemble I Barocchisti that makes this recording […] a more reliable recommendation than its predecessor on Vox."
International Record Review , Hugh Canning
May 2009
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"This very enjoyable recording – affording even most confirmed Handelians the delights of a largely undiscovered country, well surveyed – will fuel lyric coloratura mezzo's professional nightmares. […]"
"Two of the countertenors here – Max Emanuel Cenci and Philippe Jaroussky, known in the U.S. only through sporadic concerts- already have achieved star status in Europe and on recordings."
"As soon as I finished listening to this lovely opera's finale, I started again from the beginning."
Opera News
June 2009
