After Niobe by Steffani released in January 2014, Philippe Jaroussky and Karina Gauvin return with another rarity: Partenope by Handel, an opera in three acts composed to an Italian libretto. It is Handel's first comic opera since the much older Agrippina, breaking away from the opera seria style for which the composer was known in London. The opera was rejected by the Royal Academy of Music in 1726 due to its frivolous nature, it was performed a little later during the 1730 season at the King's Theatre, and as always, Handel finished the score 2 weeks before the premiere! Led by a royal Philippe Jaroussky and a royal Karina Gauvin, this Partenope also reveals the rising baroque ensemble, Il Pomo d'Oro conducted by Riccardo Minasi.