The French diva, now evidently fully recovered from a second bout of illness, may be famed for her bel canto heroines, but she is an exquisite Handelian. Dessay should have sung the soprano-castrato hero of Handel’s early Italian cantata Aci, Galatea e Polifemo in the acclaimed 2003 recording by Haïm (right), but poor health prevented it. Here is a taster of what we missed — Aci’s superb aria, Qui l’augel da pianta in pianta, sandwiched between two cantatas for solo soprano. Delirio Amoroso (The Delirium of Love) dates from Handel’s Roman sojourn in 1707; it is a string of beautiful arias linked by recitative and, uncharacteristically, punctuated by dance movements, suggesting some kind of staged presentation. Dessay’s light, bright tone and easy coloratura are well-known virtues, but the emotional intensity she brings to these pastoral laments is moving. Haïm’s spirited accompaniments and Le Concert d’Astrée’s rhythmic élan make this disc a must. The coupling of the more familiar Mi palpita il cor (My heart Is Aflutter) is no less desirable. Four stars