For the many fans of the Consort's award-winning 'Messiah', the release of another Handel album is welcome news and 'Acis and Galatea' does not disappoint!
Classic FM Magazine named the recording 'Opera & Vocal Disc of the Month'. In addition to awarding the recording five stars the magazine also stated "...the freshness with which they sing radiates joy throughout the entire score". This adds to the numerous recommendations and outstanding reviews that the double award-winning group have received for their recording of this pastoral entertainment by Handel. Gramophone magazine also named the recording 'Disc of the Month' and it was named the First Choice Recommendation by CD Review's Building a Library on BBC Radio 3, described as "a vivacious performance brimming with sheer happiness".
In 2012 the recording was named one of the '5 Essential Works by Johann Sebastian Bach' by BBC Music Magazine.
Album of the Month: "Utterly magical...rival Handel sets will have to be special indeed to top, or even to approach, this." Gramophone
Opera & Vocal Disc of the Month: "The freshness with which they sing radiates joy throughout the entire score." (five stars) Classic FM Magazine
CD of the Week: "Wonderfully intimate reading." The Observer
"[An] outstanding new recording...warmly recommended." International Record Review Recording of the Month: "Already a strong contender for the 2009 Recording of the Year." MusicWeb International
"Handel fans rejoice - a definitive Acis and Galatea at last!" (five stars) Audiophile Audition
"Such radiant music-making is an ideal hors d'oeuvre for the upcoming Handel year." (five stars) Financial Times