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Instrumental Instrumental Sinfonia Pur ti miro Signor, oggi rinasco Vivo per te Dolcissimi baci lamento Di misera ReginaAlbum Summary
Performers- Anne von Otter (Mezzo Soprano)
- Sandrine Piau (Soprano)
Notes & Reviews:
Sogno barocco - A baroque dream - is the third recording of Swedish mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter on Naïve. Dedicated to the first baroque Italian opera, with its long recitativos and its powerful arias, this recording gathers together hits of baroque music such as Monteverdi "Si dolce é 'l tormento" and "pur ti miro" and discoveries such as Rossi's Lamento of the Queen of Sweden. Anne Sofie von Otter sings with acclaimed soprano Sandrine Piau on three of the included pieces. The Ensemble Cappella Mediterranea and Leonardo Garcia Alarcon are rising stars of the baroque world and provide an excellent accompaniment to the nuanced performance of von Otter.
American Record Guide, January/February 2013
That last piece particularly stimulates the instrumental crew involved. They are nine musicians led from the harpsichord by Alarcon. They are a bit skimpy for a pit orchestra, and I could argue about the frequent use of the cornet as an obligato participant. Nevertheless, they bring both color and verve to their support. And musical pleasure is what this program is all about - as any buyer or listener will immediately discover.
Independent, 15th September 2012
The Sogno Barocco is themed around female heroines of early Italian opera, particularly those afflicted with what Francesco Cavalli, in "Vivo per Te", calls "my resplendent pain".
Sunday Times, 21st October 2012
Her voice shows little sign of wear and tear...Her still plush mezzo entwines ravishingly with Sandrine Piau's brighter soprano, but the most remarkable parts of her "baroque dream" are Rossi's Lament of the Swedish Queen and Provenzale's astonishing parody of it.
International Record Review, December 2012
Von Otter's ability to reinvent herself with the passing years is something to marvel at ... compelling singing and playing...in the past she has had a reputation for coolness, but there is fire in her delivery of these passionate soliloquies...She is capable of earthiness, too, in the wheedling, street-singer timbre she summons up for Provenzale's 'Squarciato appena havea.
Early Music Review, December 2012
The mood of this CD is pleasingly melancholy, with von Otter's many years of experience feeding into profound readings of some lovely music.
BBC Music Magazine, January 2013
Every rhetorical device is skilfully exploited, every phrase glows...For many listeners, however, Von Otter's duets with Sandrine Piau will be the highlight. Stylistically, temperamentally and in terms of timbre, the two voices are a sensational match. Rarely have 'Pur ti miro' or 'Dolcissimi baci' sounded so erotic.
Gramophone Magazine, February 2013
Von Otter has a whale of a time [in Squarciato appena] and the instrumentalists join in with a chorus at the end. The exuberance is reminiscent of Christina Pluhar's L'arpeggiata. The excerpts from L'incoronazione di Poppea appear out of sequence. Particularly ravishing is 'Pur ti miro', von Otter's rich but not heavy tone erotically entwined with the equally passionate soprano of Sandrine Piau...A strange disc, oddly memorable.
Recording information: Gävle Concert Hall, Gävle, Sweden (01/2012).
Reviews
Swedish Soprano Shares Baroque Songs
The CD is packaged with very thorough booklet comments in French, English, and German. In contrast to many booklets of this kind, the print is large enough to read, to the grateful relief of the curious audience. While the English translations might benefit from a bit of polishing, the explanations bring valuable education to the listener sans knowledge of Italian opera development. Attractive candid photos and written contributions by Ms.von Otter and Mr. Alarcón provide welcome background for understanding and appreciation of this lesson in Italian opera development.
Hearing these artists brings renewed awareness of beautiful voices in the circle of renowned names and personalities in the opera world. These Baroque songs would further enrich a collection of opera favorites and appreciation of the history of opera. If you miss Ms. von Otter’s concerts in Europe and Scandinavia during the fall of 2012, be sure to find a ticket during early 2013 on the U.S. east coast.
Submitted on 10/13/12 by howsweetthesound
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Works Details
Monteverdi, Claudio : Madrigals, Book 9 - Performer: Anne von Otter (Mezzo Soprano)
- Conductor: Leonardo Garcia Alarcon
- Ensemble: Cappella Mediterranea
- Running Time: 4 min. 3 sec.
- Period Time: Baroque
- Form: Choral
- Written: circa 1624
Cavalli, Francesco : Elena :: Instrumental - Conductor: Leonardo Garcia Alarcon
- Ensemble: Cappella Mediterranea
- Running Time: 3 min. 26 sec.
- Period Time: Baroque
- Form: Opera/Operetta
- Written: 1659
Monteverdi, Claudio : L' incoronazione di Poppea :: Pur ti miro - Performers: Sandrine Piau (Soprano); Anne von Otter (Mezzo Soprano)
- Conductor: Leonardo Garcia Alarcon
- Ensemble: Cappella Mediterranea
- Running Time: 4 min. 25 sec.
- Period Time: Baroque
- Form: Opera/Operetta
- Written: 1642
Provenzale, Francesco : Squarciato appena havea, for voice & orchestra - Performer: Anne von Otter (Mezzo Soprano)
- Conductor: Leonardo Garcia Alarcon
- Ensemble: Cappella Mediterranea
- Running Time: 10 min. 55 sec.
- Period Time: Baroque
- Form: Vocal
Monteverdi, Claudio : L' incoronazione di Poppea :: Signor, oggi rinasco - Performers: Sandrine Piau (Soprano); Anne von Otter (Mezzo Soprano)
- Conductor: Leonardo Garcia Alarcon
- Ensemble: Cappella Mediterranea
- Running Time: 5 min. 23 sec.
- Period Time: Baroque
- Form: Opera/Operetta
- Written: 1642
Cavalli, Francesco : Elena :: Instrumental - Conductor: Leonardo Garcia Alarcon
- Ensemble: Cappella Mediterranea
- Running Time: 2 min. 19 sec.
- Period Time: Baroque
- Form: Opera/Operetta
- Written: 1659
Rossi, Luigi : Lamento della Regina di Svezia - Performer: Anne von Otter (Mezzo Soprano)
- Conductor: Leonardo Garcia Alarcon
- Ensemble: Cappella Mediterranea
- Running Time: 10 min. 31 sec.
- Period Time: Baroque
Cavalli, Francesco : La Calisto :: Vivo per te - Performer: Anne von Otter (Mezzo Soprano)
- Conductor: Leonardo Garcia Alarcon
- Ensemble: Cappella Mediterranea
- Running Time: 1 min. 40 sec.
- Period Time: Baroque
- Form: Opera/Operetta
- Written: 1652
Cavalli, Francesco : La Calisto :: Dolcissimi baci - Performers: Anne von Otter (Mezzo Soprano); Sandrine Piau (Soprano)
- Conductor: Leonardo Garcia Alarcon
- Ensemble: Cappella Mediterranea
- Running Time: 6 min. 33 sec.
- Period Time: Baroque
- Form: Opera/Operetta
- Written: 1652
Cavalli, Francesco : Elena :: Sinfonia - Conductor: Leonardo Garcia Alarcon
- Ensemble: Cappella Mediterranea
- Running Time: 5 min. 25 sec.
- Period Time: Baroque
- Form: Opera/Operetta
- Written: 1659
Cavalli, Francesco : Doriclea :: lamento - Performer: Anne von Otter (Mezzo Soprano)
- Conductor: Leonardo Garcia Alarcon
- Ensemble: Cappella Mediterranea
- Running Time: 6 min. 47 sec.
- Period Time: Baroque
- Written: 1645
Monteverdi, Claudio : Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria :: Di misera Regina - Performer: Anne von Otter (Mezzo Soprano)
- Conductor: Leonardo Garcia Alarcon
- Ensemble: Cappella Mediterranea
- Running Time: 10 min. 7 sec.
- Period Time: Baroque
- Form: Opera/Operetta
- Written: 1640
