Handel's Harp Maxine Eilander, harp - Cyndia Sieden, soprano The Seattle Baroque Orchestra Stephen Stubbs, lute & direction ACD2 2541 • Handel's complete music for harp on a single CD for the first time!   Handel used the harp in everything from operas and oratorios to adaptations of keyboard music and his famous concerto for the instrument. • The Seattle Baroque Orchestra was founded by violinist Ingrid Matthews and harpsichordist Byron Schenkman, two top performers in the field of early music.   With the group's debut in 1994, Seattle has laid claim to one of USA's hottest period-instrument ensembles. • Maxine Eilander has appeared as a soloist with many leading ensembles throughout North America and Europe.   She has also performed around the world, playing continuo in productions of various baroque operas and chamber music. • Coloratura soprano Cyndia Sieden moves between the baroque, classical and contemporary repertoire with extraordinary ability and to considerable acclaim.   Ms. Sieden's Metropolitan Opera debut was as Berg's Lulu, and she returned in 2009 to sing the role of Queen of the Night.   A native of California, Ms. Sieden now lives in Washington State. • Stephen Stubbs has been invited to direct opera productions in Europe, the US, Canada and Scandinavia.   Since 1997 he has co-directed the bi-annual Boston Early Music Festival opera.   2009 will see the debut of his new Seattle-based opera company Pacific Operaworks with a production of Monteverdi's Ulisse. HANDEL, George Frideric (1685-1759)   1.         "Praise the Lord with cheerful noise" [Esther]   2.         Symphony [Saul]   3.-   5. Harp Concerto in B flat major [Alexander's Feast]   6.         "Tune your harps to cheerful strains" [Esther]   7.         Sinfonia & "V'adoro pupille" [Giulio Cesare]   8.         "Lascia ch'io pianga" [Rinaldo] Harp solo (arr. Stephen Stubbs)   9.- 12. Concerto in F. Op. 4 No. 5 13.         "Hark, hark, he strikes the golden lyre" [Alexander Balus] ATMA Classique is distributed in Australia by Rockian Trading PO Box 44, Briar Hill, Vic, 3088, Australia Telephone +61 (0)3 9432 4149 ~ Facsimile +61 (0)3 9444 6879