This week audiences can two Handel operas performed by some of the greatest baroque specialists. There is also a new recoding of Bizet’s “Carmen” featuring one of great interpreters of her generation.

Rodelinda

Handel’s 1725 hit opera is released with The English Concert and artistic director Harry Bicket. Lucy Crowe and Iestyn Davies are the devoted partners Rodelinda and Bertarido, heading a cast that also includes Joshua Ellicott, Tim Mead, Brandon Cedel, and Jess Dandy. Linn releases the complete opera.

Carmen 

Naxos will release the 2009 production of Bizet’s opera from the Opéra-Comique. Anna Caterina Antonacci stars in her signature role alongside Andrew Richards, Anne-Catherine Gillet, and Nicolas Cavallier. Sir John Eliot Gardiner conducts the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique and the voices of his Monteverdi Choir. The production is by Adrian Noble.

Ariodante 

Unitel releases the 2017 Salzburg production of Handel’s “Ariodante.” Christof Loy directed the production which stars Cecilia Bartoli, Kathryn Lewek, Sandrine Piau, Christophe Dumaux, Nathan Berg, and Rolando Villazón. Gianluca Capuano conducted Les Musiciens du Prince–Monaco.