[ Recommended CDs of operas by Handel, George Frideric (1685-1759)
Choosing the right recording can be a nightmare, with dozens of recordings of the same work available. We've done the research for you and looked up the most reliable sources of recommendation, and we've listed only the very best. Our database is growing steadily: we have recommended CDs for over 400 operas and other works, and a small number of DVDs. Choose any or all of the composer, work or performer that you want to listen to, or press "More" for composers not listed in the first page.
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CDs & DVDs
StraussMozartPucciniBrittenMore
composers...Surprise
me!All opera
CDs & DVDs
Agrippina, HWV 6 
Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Conductor Album title: Handel - Agrippina Philips 438 009-2 (3-CD) Handel opera survey BBC Radio 3 Building a Library, Jonathan Keates, 24-May-1997 | Buy CD or DVD: Download:  |
Giulio Cesare in Egitto, HWV 17
René Jacobs, Conductor Barbara Schlick, Soprano Jennifer Larmore, Mezzo-soprano Bernarda Fink, Mezzo-soprano Album title: Handel - Giulio Cesare Harmonia Mundi HMX290 1385/7 (3-CD) Simply the best Gramophone Good CD Guide, 1-Jan-2007 | Buy CD or DVD: |
Orlando, HWV 31
Christopher Hogwood, Conductor Arleen Auger, Soprano Emma Kirkby, Soprano James Bowman, Counter-tenor Album title: Handel - Orlando L'oiseau-lyre 430 845-2 (3-CD) Handel opera survey BBC Radio 3 Building a Library, Jonathan Keates, 24-May-1997 | Buy CD or DVD: |
Partenope, HWV 27
René Jacobs, Conductor Sigiswald Kuijken, Conductor Krisztina Laki, Soprano Helga M Molinari, Mezzo-soprano Album title: Handel - Partenope Deutche Harmonia Mundi GD 77109 (3-CD, mid-price) First choice BBC Radio 3 Building a Library, Jonathan Keates, 25-May-1997 | Buy CD or DVD: |
Rodelinda, regina de' Langobardi, HWV19
Alan Curtis, Conductor Simone Kermes, Soprano Marijana Mijanovic, Mezzo-soprano Steve Davislim, Tenor Album title: Handel - Rodelinda Archiv (3-CD, 2005) First choice 1001 Classical Recordings - Cassell, Barry Millington, 1-Jan-2007 | Buy CD or DVD: |
Acis and Galatea, HWV 49
William Christie, Conductor Sophie Daneman, Soprano Patricia Petibon, Soprano Paul Agnew, Tenor Joseph Cornwell, Tenor Alan Ewing, Bass Album title: Handel: Acis and Galatea Erato (2-CD) First choice BBC Radio 3 Building a Library, Lucie Skeaping, 11-Mar-2000 | Buy CD or DVD: |
Ariodante, HWV 33
Marc Minkowski, Conductor Lynne Dawson, Soprano Veronica Cangemi, Soprano Anne Sofie von Otter, Mezzo-soprano Ewa Podleś, Contralto Richard Croft, Tenor Denis Sedov, Bass Album title: Handel: Ariodante Archiv (3-CD, 1997) First choice 1001 Classical Recordings - Cassell, Barry Millington, 1-Jan-2007 | Buy CD or DVD: |
Rinaldo, HWV 7
Christopher Hogwood, Conductor Mark Padmore, Soprano Catherine Bott, Soprano Luba Orgonasova, Soprano Cecilia Bartoli, Mezzo-soprano Bernarda Fink, Mezzo-soprano Gerald Finley, Baritone Bejun Mehta, Counter-tenor David Daniels, Counter-tenor Album title: Handel: Rinaldo Decca (3-CD) Simply the best Gramophone Good CD Guide, 1-Jan-2007 | Buy CD or DVD: |
Saul, HWV 53
Paul McCreesh, Conductor Susan Gritton, Soprano Nancy Argenta, Soprano Mark Padmore, Tenor Jonathan Lemalu, Bass Neal Davies, Bass Andreas Scholl, Counter-tenor Album title: Handel: Saul Archiv (3-CD) First choice BBC Radio 3 Building a Library, Robert Hollingworth, 16-Oct-2004 | Buy CD or DVD: |
Serse (Xerxes), HWV 40
William Christie, Conductor Anne Sofie von Otter, Mezzo-soprano Lawrence Zazzo, Alto Album title: Handel: Serse Virgin (3-CD) First choice 1001 Classical Recordings - Cassell, Barry Millington, 1-Jan-2007 | Buy CD or DVD: |
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