Academy of Ancient Music; Cambridge Handel Opera; Julian Perkins - John Weldon: The Judgment of Paris

Academy of Ancient Music (AAM) and Cambridge Handel Opera Company (CHOC) follow their Gramophone-nominated recording of Eccles' Semele with a world-premiere recording of John Weldon's masque The Judgment of Paris. In 1700 the Earl of Halifax decided England needed all-sung opera. He offered a 'Musick Prize' of 100 guineas for the best setting of the libretto of The Judgement of Paris by William Congreve, with entries by composers like John Eccles and Daniel Purcell. Weldon's setting, which won the competition but was never published, is recorded here for the first time. Released as a hardback mediabook, the CD is accompanied by a host of fascinating essays written specially by historians, musicologists and other experts - finally giving this winning masque the attention it deserves.