Handel: Opera Arias
William Towers (countertenor)
Christopher Monks / Armonico Consort (Signum Classics)
先看封面，一時以為英國假聲男高音William Towers是個新人，但查到他原來在賈丁納的巴哈清唱劇全集朝聖之旅中，唱了不少場，那是2000年紀念巴哈逝世250周年的演出，即是他已是中年歌手。
封面這個英雄造型，加上碟名Pyrotechnics火花／特技一詞，我又以為是快速、炫技的韓德爾歌劇詠嘆調。不過Towers小冊子說他原本把碟名改成Handel for Life，就可知道唱片公司改成那個更吸引人、但帶誤導成分的碟名。
因為這碟不只是開碟的Ombra mai fu，大部分的選曲都是緩慢或撫慰式的詠嘆調，雖然唱得慢唱得柔也要相當技術，卻不是Pyrotechnics所暗示的那種炫技。
這二十年假聲男高音的技術有很大進步，顯然Towers這種歌手及不上今天的明星假聲男高音。不過這碟仍值得聽的原因，除了選曲，就是接近室樂規模的伴奏，再加上Towers不求譁眾取寵的唱法，即使算不上頂尖的歌藝，但總體組成很安寧，很滋養生命的音樂，所以誰說Handel for Life不能吸引樂迷呢？
On first sight the cover gave me the impression that William Towers is a young countertenor. But he took part in many of Gardiner’s Bach Cantata Pilgrimage concerts. And that was in 2000, so Towers was anything but young.
Another false impression that the heroic costumes and the “pyrotechnics” title gave me was the disc was made up of exciting vocal fireworks. But Towers made it clear in the booklet that the disc title he intended was “Handel for Life”. We can safely deduce that the record company deliberately beefed up the title.
Not just the opening track Ombra mai fu, but most of the arias are of a gentle and consoling nature. Of course it takes much skills to sing slow as well, but it’s simply not “pyrotechnics”.
The art of the countertenor saw much progress over the last two decades. And it is obvious that Towers is no match to the star countertenors of this generation. But this CD is still worthwhile. Other than the aria selection, I appreciate Towers’ no-frills approach and the chamber-size accompaniment. Taking the repertoire and execution as a whole, this CD does justify the title “Handel for Life”, it’s soothing music that enriches the soul.