For its harmonia mundi début, the London-based ensemble La Nuova Musica, led by David Bates, presents a true rarity the original 1712 version of Handel s opera Il pastor fido (The Faithful Shepherd) in its world première recording, featuring Lucy Crowe, Anna Dennis, Katherine Manley, Madeleine Shaw and Clint van der Linde. The three act Il pastor fido was set to a libretto by Giacomo Rossi based on the famed and widely familiar pastoral poem of the same name by Giovanni Battista Guarini. Following on the heels of Handel s hugely successful Rinaldo, the work was revised several times to please audiences and critics. La Nuova Musica is a vocal and instrumental ensemble dedicated to the music of the European Renaissance and Baroque. Its name is taken from Giulio Caccini s 1602 treatise Le Nuove Musiche, which concerns itself with vocal production and how best to move the affections. Since its foundation in 2006 by counter-tenor David Bates, the group has shot to prominence in the UK and beyond and is already a regular guest at the foremost Early Music venues and festivals.