The Royal Handel of the title of this Alpha release does not refer to music for the king specifically but to the Royal Academy of Music. Founded in 1719, this opera organization gave Handel his first major post in Britain when he was appointed the music director. He traveled back to Italy, returning to London with the singers and instrumentalists who would bring his music to life over the next two decades. He had rivals whom he eclipsed, Giovanni Bononcini and Attilio Ariosti, and they are represented on the program; it's striking how Handelian their music sounds in this context, even if the Handel arias have greater breadth. Handel wrote detailed and brilliant instrumental parts, brightly rendered here by the historical-instrument group Le Consort. The arias, more so than in the few other recordings made of this repertory, are both obscure and worth getting to know, but the real high point is the voice of mezzo-soprano Eva Zaïcik. It has a metallic sheen that is highly malleable according to what she is singing, blooming into warmth for "Ah! Tu non sai" from Ottone, re di Germania, HWV 15, and turning muscular and agile for the big display pieces. It's a voice with many shades, from a singer with dramatic sense, and it's one of many pleasures on an unusually strong Handel release.