Handel: Saul, HWV 53 (Live)

In continued efforts of bringing extraordinary musical experiences to audiences everywhere amidst the COVID-19 crisis, Philharmonia Baroque Productions releases the live audio recording of Handel's Saul, the award-winning performance from April 2019 with Handel expert and outgoing PBO Music Director Nicholas McGegan at the helm. With an all-star cast featuring rising star countertenor Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen as David, alongside the Orchestra & Chorale, this digital-only release is the 14th on Philharmonia's recording label, and marks the final worldwide recording release of Nicholas McGegan's tenure as Music Director. “Expansive and beautifully sung.... Cohen's singing boasts a combination of ethereal beauty and robust physicality that few countertenors can quite achieve.” —Joshua Kosman, San Francisco Chronicle “McGegan, who during the last 33 years has made Philharmonia Baroque the most robust of American early music ensembles and who takes infectious pleasure in Handel, was in his element.” —Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times “To report that Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale gave a magnificent performance … is both manifestly true and slightly misrepresentative of the achievement. [It] was the dimensionality of the whole, the depth of feeling and dramatic urgency that came together with such authority and grace under conductor Nicholas McGegan's sure hand.” —Steven Winn, San Francisco Classical Voice Celebrated for its rich drama, tender arias and extravagant choruses, Handel's 1738 oratorio Saul tells the story of the first king of the Israelites and his envious relationship with his predecessor David; the work is largely considered one of the Baroque composer's masterpieces. The fifth Handel album on Philharmonia's label, Saul features the PBO debut of countertenor Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen, who has quickly become one of opera's most promising rising stars. Tenor Aaron Sheehan, a leading interpreter of Baroque repertoire, performs the role of Jonathan, while PBO favorites Sherezade Panthaki and Yulia Van Doren shine as Michal and Merab, respectively. Rich-voiced Canadian bass-baritone Daniel Okulitch sings the title role. The Philharmonia Chorale's commanding role as the Chorus of Israelites—led by Bruce Lamott—awarded PBO "Best Choral Performance of the Year" by San Francisco Classical Voice. This release was recorded live at First Congregational Church in Berkeley, CA on April 6–7, 2019.