27 of 27 recommend this SA-CD
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Label:
   Harmonia Mundi - http://www.harmoniamundi.com/
Serial:
   HMC 801877/78 (2 discs)
Title:
   Handel: Saul - Jacobs
Description:
   Handel: Saul

Henry Waddington (bass)
Finnur Bjarnason (tenor)
Michael Slattery (tenor)
Rosemary Joshua (soprano)
Emma Bell (soprano)
Lawrence Zazzo (counter-tenor) 
Jeremy Ovenden (tenor)
Gidon Saks (baritone)
RIAS-Kammerchor
Concerto Köln
René Jacobs (conductor)
Details:
  
Genre:
   Classical - Opera
Content:
   Stereo/Multichannel
Media:
   Hybrid
Recording type:
  
Recording info:
  
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Reviews: 2
Review by andrewb February 27, 2006 (5 of 5 found this review helpful)
Performance:  Sonics (S/MC): /
This is another outstanding release from Jacobs and his partners with one of Handels finest works. The performance from the vocal soloists and instrumentalists is excellent, there is real conviction in their singing and playing. The instruments are strongly forward with remarkable clarity but are kept in ideal balance with the vocals. The soloists perform the English libretto with admirable lucididty, with a precision and clearness that allows one to dispense with the booklet text and still follow the story.

The sound is immediate, warm and very clear, a wonderful example of what SACD can do. Both stereo and multichannel are very fine. I have only one quibble with the multichannel layer, in that there is sometimes too much use made of the rear speakers. The worst example being the Air of the High Priest on track 9, where I was unclear where the voice was coming from, sometimes it was in front and at another moment behind me. Adjusting the level of the rear channels did not completely alleviate this problem.

The packaging in a box with a thick booklet and wonderful art work is exemplary, the usual standard and style given to recent releases of Jacobs on Harmonia Mundi.

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Review by Taiko January 10, 2006 (3 of 5 found this review helpful)
Performance:  Sonics (S):
Simply the best classical SACD (in fact two) I've ever bought.
The packaging of the goods is very pleasing and significant.
The sound is outstanding and the performance is legendary.
I'm sure you'll love it. It's a "must have".

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Works: 1  
George Frideric Handel - Oratorio "Saul", HWV 53