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BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

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The Early Music Show

Music: Classical: Early Music

Performance and news from the world of early music.

An exploration of early music, looking at early developments in musical performance and composition in Britain and abroad. UK only: please note that not all episodes are podcast.

The Early Music Show: Handel's Italian Cantatas

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Handel's Italian Cantatas

20/05/2012

BBC Radio 3 - The Early Music Show, Handel's Italian Cantatas

Catherine Bott presents three cantatas Handel wrote in Italy in the early 18th century.

Catherine Bott presents a selection of the many vocal chamber cantatas Handel wrote during his time in Italy, including Delirio amoroso, for soprano, strings and continuo.

Handel first went to Italy in 1706 and during those first few years there he was given great support and encouragement to develop his innate talent as a composer of dramatic works. Handel wrote over eighty vocal cantatas during this time, and they are full of glorious music. In today's programme, Catherine Bott features music from 3 of these cantatas, including a complete performance of 'Delirio amoroso' HWV 99 -possibly the first cantata Handel wrote in Rome - in a recording with soprano Roberta Invernizzi and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment directed by Matthew Truscott.

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