Handel Arias (1960)

by Albert Fuller (harpsichord), Russell Oberlin (counter tenor), Baroque Chamber Orchestra, Thomas Dunn (conductor)

Countertenor Russell Oberlin is slated to celebrate his 80th birthday in 2008. Oberlin is a native of Akron, OH, who, despite his birthdate, is a contemporary to falsetto countertenor Alfred Deller -- Oberlin also began his recording career right around 1950. Unlike Deller, countertenor is Oberlin's true range, and unlike Deller, he did not stick around to make recordings when his voice was past its prime; in the mid-'60s Oberlin quit singing and went into education. While Oberlin is not quite forgotten, relatively few ... Read More

Countertenor Russell Oberlin is slated to celebrate his 80th birthday in 2008. Oberlin is a native of Akron, OH, who, despite his birthdate, is a contemporary to falsetto countertenor Alfred Deller -- Oberlin also began his recording career right around 1950. Unlike Deller, countertenor is Oberlin's true range, and unlike Deller, he did not stick around to make recordings when his voice was past its prime; in the mid-'60s Oberlin quit singing and went into education. While Oberlin is not quite forgotten, relatively few plaudits and reissues have come his way. Some of his Lyrichord and Esoteric performances have been reissued on either Lyrichord or VAI CDs. However, Oberlin's small but devoted cadre of fans certainly never expected to see his Decca Gold Label LPs, arguably his best and certainly the best recorded of his efforts, to come around again. "Impossible," they would say, "that is never going to happen."Well, with Russell Oberlin Handel Arias, an entry in the digi-packed "Spotlight" series from... Read Less