HARMONIA MUNDI Ombra Cara (CD+DVD)

Review This is not just another aria collection, but a celebration of genius, in composition and performance alike. --BBC Music Magazine 2010 AMERICAN Bejun Mehta is a phenomenon among today's countertenors. Past appearances at the Edinburgh Festival are testament to his extraordinary range and versatility, not to mention the wholesome quality he invests in performances of music as diverse as Handel and Vaughan Williams. Even in this disc (and accompanying behind-the-scenes DVD) devoted entirely to Handel arias he explores a universe of colour and emotion, and demonstrates the sheer effortlessness of his delivery (never once do you sense that slight unnatural unease so common among average countertenors) with the supremely stylish backing of the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra under René Jacobs. Welsh soprano Rosemary Joshua also features. --The Scotsman AMERICAN Bejun Mehta is a phenomenon among today's countertenors. Past appearances at the Edinburgh Festival are testament to his extraordinary range and versatility, not to mention the wholesome quality he invests in performances of music as diverse as Handel and Vaughan Williams. Even in this disc (and accompanying behind-the-scenes DVD) devoted entirely to Handel arias he explores a universe of colour and emotion, and demonstrates the sheer effortlessness of his delivery (never once do you sense that slight unnatural unease so common among average countertenors) with the supremely stylish backing of the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra under René Jacobs. Welsh soprano Rosemary Joshua also features. --The Scotsman