Yvonne Kenny, Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Paul Dyer - Handel Arias (1998)

Yvonne Kenny has been one of the most impressive of Handel sopranos for so many years now that it has even been possible to take her for granted. The level of tonal beauty, operatic intensity, mastery of divisions, intelligent appreciation and application of ornaments, blending of voices in duets, superior impersonation and acting skills that Kenny has evinced, however, are rare commodities. She first sang Alcina, Sutherland’s famous role, moving on to include Semele and Xerxes, Julius Caesar and Rinaldo amongst others that will be remembered by many. Her performances with ENO are imperishable memories for me.
Here she joins with her fellow Australian Paul Dyer and the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra for a series of arias from some of the works noted above, ones powerfully associated with her. Also included in a way familiar from other Australian original instrument discs are some purely orchestral items. They act as a recital contrast, though many greedily will want more Kenny.