[ Harmonia Mundi Les Arts Florissants Editions / CD ]
Release Date: Thursday 15 June 2017
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Recorded at the Cité de la Musique during the complete cycle of Monteverdi madrigals mounted in partnership with the Philharmonie de Paris and the Théâtre de Caen, the last volume in our trilogy probably contains the best-loved gems of a composer who had become maestro di cappella at St Mark's in Venice, and finally entered the priesthood. Alongside the great operas that have survived from this period, the final madrigals methodically explore the multiple possibilities offered by the rapidly developing practice of basso continuo and by an unprecedented exploitation of solo voices. And, in that respect, the celebrated 'Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda' forms a spectacular finale to our Monteverdian adventure!
"the typical refinement of Les Arts Florissants and the scrupulous way voices and instruments complement each other are a treat in themselves." (Guardian)
"There is fine singing here, particularly from the bass Lisandro Abadie in Altri canti d'Amour (great richness and clarity) and the contralto Lucile Richardot in Lettera Amorosa (with some stylish decoration and meaningful projection of the words) … The accomplished instrumentalists give us stylish dance music…a judicious and musically compelling introduction to Monteverdi's secular works." BBC Music
"Agnew's choice is beautifully representative of the collections' glorious stylistic range and substantial evocative content...there is arresting soulfulness in these live performances. Take the nimble Chiome d'oro, with its breezy ritornelli, agile bass ostinato, served up here as if it were Baroque jazz; or the raw affections that colour Lettera amorosa with the same emotive magnetism." The Scotsman
"Agnew takes the role of narrator here, and while his Italian isn't as natural as a native's, his declamatory style and articulation are gripping. He's also lead singer in the Lamento della ninfa, but he doesn't outshine his two sopranos, Miriam Allan and Mhairi Lawson, whose voice-clash with exquisite dissonances is Chiome d'oro." Sunday Times
"The vivid atmosphere of Agnew's performance is palpable and, as so often in these discs, his text-driven subtlety wins over." Gramophone Award Nomination 2017 - Baroque Vocal
Tempro la cetra (Symphonia)
Al lume delle stelle
Con che soavità (Book 7)
Chiome d'oro (Book 7)
Interrotte speranze
Lettera amorosa
Tirsi e Clori, ballo concertato (Book 7)
Altri canti d'Amor (Book 8)
Dolcissimo uscignolo
Lamento della Ninfa (Book 8)
Il Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda