The English Concert - Handel: Serse - The Times

Handel’s music is wonderfully virile and dramatic. So are the performances from director Harry Bicket’s English Concert and the excellent soloists lined up for the group’s latest dive into Handel’s operatic wonderland.

Emily D’Angelo’s mezzo is the first voice we hear, robust and vibrant, fitting enough for the headstrong Xerxes. The singer who really excels, though, is Lucy Crowe, radiating steadfast purity of tone as Romilda, unfortunate object of Xerxes’ obsession. Mary Bevan is almost as good as Romilda’s flirty sister Atalanta.