This is French soprano Patricia Petibon’s second recital CD for DG. Her first album Amoureuss won 2009’s BBC Music Magazine Award for Best Opera Album. And this one is likely to receive similar acclaim.

The voice, artistry and accompanying musicians are all in fine form here. But it’s the choice of repertoire that really helps to make this CD stand out against a strong field of sopranos currently releasing recital CDs. Its success lies in the way it combines much-loved Handel arias with lesser-known repertoire by Handel’s contemporaries. Some of the stand-out gems on offer here are Sartorio’s Quando voglio and Porpora’s Morte amara, but there is never a dull listening moment on this CD. Bravo!