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"… Christian Curnyn has as infallible a sense of tempo and musico-dramatic shape… as the composer himself.The orchestral playing is light-fingered, colourful and sprightly, and the company commands a roster of the best singers among the younger generation of Handelians." - The Times "Listening to these discs has reminded me of full of enchanting music ‘Paretnope’ is…. In sum, then, if you have the Kuijken set, you don’t need to throw it away, but anyone new to this delightful opera should give the Chandos set – in state-of-the-art sound – a try. Die-hard Handelians, of course, will want both." - International Record Review "Handel’s 1730 opera is a genial and light-hearted affair that tells of Queen Partenope’s struggle to choose between three suitors. Rosemary Joshua gives a warm, intelligent and beautifully characterised account of the title role (her aria ‘Spera e godi’, in which she speaks of two lovers in turn is a triumph). The rest of the singing is all good, and Curnyn’s direction is lively and well-paced." - Classic FM "The singers are generally excellent: Rosemary Joshua deploys vocal beauty to advantage in her portrayal of the charismatic Queen of Naples, Hilary Summers’s powerful contralto is ideal for the vengeful but ultimately forgiving Rosmira, and Lawrence Zazzo has the virtuosity and emotional range to make the best of the penitent Arsace, contrasting with the soft-grained countertenor of Stephen Wallace as Armindo, the modest prince who finally gain’s Partenope’s affection." - Early Music Review