The Rise of the North Italian Violin Concerto 1690-1740: Volume Two: Virtuoso Impresario

"Much of Vivaldi's writing for the solo violin in these concertos has affinities with his writing for the opera, and it is fitting that these performances of a selection from the concertos should be interleaved with operatic arias. There is much to choose from amongst Vivaldi's operatic compositions: so much so that the three arias from La costanza trionfante degl'amori e de gl'odii here receive their first ever recordings; in these and the two arias from La fida ninfa the soprano soloist is the admirable Mhairi Lawson. She is heard to especial advantage in 'Dolce fiamma' from La fida ninfa, her voice full of melting tenderness, the strings of La Serenissima supporting her exquisitely, and in 'Alma oppressa' from the same opera, full of stunning coloratura, a demonstration piece which spectacularly demonstrates the abilities of both composer and performer(s). An outstanding collection, vividly characterised and full of energy, of fine - but not over-familiar - music"
(Recording of the Month MusicWeb Sept 2007)