Christie directs a fine ensemble performance with near-flawless instrumental playing and magnificent solo singing. The lead soloists are entirely convincing with Pascal Charbonneau, as David, negotiating his stratospheric tenor line superbly...Complementing these excellent soloists is a chorus which sings expertly while delivering sterling dramatic commitment

This film is interesting on many levels; of course the singing and the playing are every bit as the singing and the playing are every bit as impressive, not to say intensely moving… this is a wonderful recording

Last summer's Aix-en-Provence production by Andreas Homoki treats the sacred drama as an energetic secular theatre piece...Charbonneau sings David's softer sentimental music mellifluously...Christie supervises an authoritative performance.

The performance's underlying musical integrity and flawless pacing stem above all from the conductor William Christie and the orchestral players of Les Arts Florissants...One expects superlative diction from the native speakers in this cast, but one also get it from Welsh bass-baritone Neal Davies (Saul), singing and acting here with harrowing intensity

David is intensely played and sung by the Canadian tenor Pascal Charbonneau. His occasional strain is in keeping with the role, and his lament for Jonathas is quite a tear-jerker. Ana Quintans is the perfect match as Jonathas, looking like a mid-period Harry Potter and singing with an affecting artlessness. Kresimir Spicer’s powerful Joabel personifies compellingly the forces the title roles are up against. The large chorus is effectively directed, and Christie’s conducting brings an easy flow and sumptuous sound to music that hovers tantalizingly on the brink of expressive indulgence.