“This seriously addictive disc should make New Yorkers envy Philadelphia for its sparkling early-music orchestra, Tempesta di Mare. Here, the group’s five expert core players pay handsome tribute to Handel. Soprano Julianne Baird joins them.

“The ensemble Tempesta di Mare performed an all Vivaldi concert last Saturday evening, presented by Early Music Now. The five-member ensemble of two violins, recorder, cello and lute plays with wonderfully tight ensemble, divining one.

“Sunday’s concert at the National Gallery of Art was a survey of 16th- and 17th-century Italian music, allowing Drew Minter and the accomplished musicians of Tempesta di Mare to showcase the style, ornamentation and improvisation.

“Tempesta di Mare, Philadelphia Baroque Orchestra, closed out its 2005-06 season with the third and final installment of its series entitled “The Grand Orchestra” in Swarthmore College’s Lang Concert Hall. The most impressive and memorable.

“In Tempesta di Mare’s program, you glimpsed Handel in one of his few creative outings with his native language. And with musicians like those in this Philadelphia-based baroque orchestra, not to mention soprano Julianne Baird,.

“In a time when all good things seem to be contracting, Tempesta di Mare, the Philadelphia baroque-music orchestra, swelled to a record-high 22 players on Friday at Lang Concert Hall in Swarthmore, and will stay.

“The musicians of Tempesta di Mare brought the nearly 300-year-old score to life with a zest and virtuosity that transcended issues of style and instrumentation. At the close of this performance ofClori, Tirsi and Fileno,.

“Period instruments concert on Hill the best ever." — Chestnut Hill LOCAL "Maybe the single most marvelous discovery of Tempesta’s decade—thanks to cofounders Gwyn Roberts and Richard Stone" — Philadelphia Inquirer