'Faramondo' is not one of Handel’s best known operas. It was first performed in January 1738 at the King’s Theatre, Haymarket in London - there were a total of eight performances and it was never revived during Handel's lifetime.

The plot is based on the story of Pharamond, a mythological King of France, in the 5th Century AD. Faramondo, King of the Franks, and his former ally Gernando, King of the Swabians, are in love with the same woman, Rosimonda, daughter of the hostile Cimbrian King Gustavo. Her brother Adolfo loves Faramondo’s sister Clotilde and rebels against his father, who sentences him to death. A story of revenge, intrigues, love and jealousy takes its fateful course. Out of love for Rosimonda, the disguised Faramondo joins forces with her father in the fight against the traitors.

In 2014, Handel’s opera received its first performance at the Göttingen International Handel Festival with a young cast performing under the musical direction of Laurence Cummings. This live recording is the second release (after Handel’s 'Siroe') in a new collaboration between the Accent label and the Göttingen International Händel Festival.

Cast:
- Faramondo: Emily Fons (mezzo-soprano)
- Clotilde: Anna Devin (soprano)
- Rosimonda: Anna Starushkevych (mezzo-soprano)
- Gustavo: Njål Sparbo (bass)
- Adolfo: Maarten Engeltjes (countertenor)
- Gernando: Christopher Lowrey (countertenor)
- Teobaldo: Edward Grint (baritone)
- Childerico: Iryna Dziashko (soprano)

Live recording from the Göttingen International Handel Festival June 2014.

“Laurence Cummings has the score superbly judged, taking some bravura arias at bracing tempos without causing vocal distress. He leads the crack FestspielOrchester Göttingen established by his predecessor, Nicholas McGegan. It has never sounded better.” - The Financial Times

“The FestspielOrchester plays with a clarity and delicacy which brings the music to vibrant, vivid life. The singing of the young cast is controlled, precise and emotionally true.” - Opera