Anne Sofie von Otter – Anne Sofie von Otter : Sogno Barocco (2012) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz]

Anne Sofie von Otter – Anne Sofie von Otter : Sogno Barocco (2012)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 01:12:06 minutes | 641 MB | Genre:
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Digital Booklet, Front Cover | ©

Mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter is an artist who continues to amaze with the undiminished luster and beauty of her voice, the depth and daring of her interpretation, and her commitment to exploring unfamiliar repertoire. Sogno Barocco is a recital of Italian songs, scenas, and operatic solos and duets drawn from the early to middle Baroque era. Dedicated to early Italian opera protagonists such as Poppea, Penelope, Diana and Helena, this clever programme gathers baroque hit duets such as Si Dolce è l tormento or Pur ti miro and the previously unreleased Provenzale cantata or Rossi’s Lamento of the Swedish Queen… This delicate and subtle series of baroque jewels is performed with an amazing cast, starring French soprano Sandrine Piau, in 3 breathtaking duets, and baroque rising-star conductor Leonardo García Alarcón, one of the current darlings of Italian baroque.

Mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter is an artist who continues to amaze with the undiminished luster and beauty of her voice, the depth and daring of her interpretation, and her commitment to exploring unfamiliar repertoire. Sogno Barocco is a recital of Italian songs, scenas, and operatic solos and duets drawn from the early to middle Baroque era. It’s a mix of familiar pieces like Monteverdi’s solo madrigal Si dolce è’l tormento, and “Pur ti miro” from L’incoronazione di Poppea and some real rarities (not to say oddities) such as Luigi Rossi’s eccentric, starkly dramatic Lamento della regina di suezia, and Francesco Provenzale’s even stranger, highly entertaining parody of it, Squarciato appena havea. Von Otter brings a lifetime of experience and probing intelligence to this intensely expressive repertoire, yet her voice is youthfully fresh and radiant, making for performances of unusual depth and vocal loveliness. Her dramatic sensibility in these pieces, many of which are laments, is focused and subtle (except in the over-the-top comedy of the Provenzale, in which she cuts loose with abandon). Soprano Sandrine Piau joins her in three duets and their voices blend beautifully, especially in sensuality of “Pur ti miro” and the intimate urgency of “Signor, hoggi rinasco,” also from Poppea. Leonardo García Alarcón demonstrates exceptional insight into the music of the early and middle Baroque and further cements his reputation as one of the brightest stars in this repertoire to emerge in the second decade of the 21st century. He and Cappella Mediterranea opt for a spare, lean approach to the realization of the accompaniment, and while it is not the only possible interpretation, it works wonderfully well. It is understated but always inventive, and the ensemble is varied and colorful. Naïve’s sound is characteristically immaculate, detailed, and realistic, with plenty of warmth. Highly recommended for fans of vocal music of the Baroque.

Tracklist:

01. Anne-Sofie von Otter, mezzo-soprano – Ensemble Cappella Mediterranea – Leonardo Garcia Alarcon, conductor – Sì dolce è ’l tormento:Si dolce è ’l tormento (04:06)
02. Anne-Sofie von Otter, mezzo-soprano – Ensemble Cappella Mediterranea – Leonardo Garcia Alarcon, conductor – Elena:Instrumental (03:26)
03. Sandrine Piau, soprano – Anne-Sofie von Otter, mezzo-soprano – Ensemble Cappella Mediterranea – Leonardo Garcia Alarcon, conductor – L’incoronazione di Poppea:Act III, scena VIII. Pur ti miro (04:27)
04. Anne-Sofie von Otter, mezzo-soprano – Ensemble Cappella Mediterranea – Leonardo Garcia Alarcon, conductor – Squarciato appena havea (10:53)
05. Sandrine Piau, soprano – Anne-Sofie von Otter, mezzo-soprano – Ensemble Cappella Mediterranea – Leonardo Garcia Alarcon, conductor – L’incoronazione di Poppea:Act III, scena V.Signor, oggi rinasco (05:24)
06. Anne-Sofie von Otter, mezzo-soprano – Ensemble Cappella Mediterranea – Leonardo Garcia Alarcon, conductor – Elena:Instrumental II (02:21)
07. Anne-Sofie von Otter, mezzo-soprano – Ensemble Cappella Mediterranea – Leonardo Garcia Alarcon, conductor – Lamento de la regina di suezia (10:34)
08. Sandrine Piau, soprano – Anne-Sofie von Otter, mezzo-soprano – Ensemble Cappella Mediterranea – Leonardo Garcia Alarcon, conductor – La Calisto:Act III, scena VII.Vivo per te (01:46)
09. Sandrine Piau, soprano – Anne-Sofie von Otter, mezzo-soprano – Ensemble Cappella Mediterranea – Leonardo Garcia Alarcon, conductor – La Calisto:Act III, scena VII.Dolcissimi baci (06:38)
10. Anne-Sofie von Otter, mezzo-soprano – Ensemble Cappella Mediterranea – Leonardo Garcia Alarcon, conductor – Elena:Sinfonia (05:24)
11. Anne-Sofie von Otter, mezzo-soprano – Ensemble Cappella Mediterranea – Leonardo Garcia Alarcon, conductor – Doriclea:Act III, scena I.Doriclea lamento (06:49)
12. Susanna Sundberg, contralto – Anne-Sofie von Otter, mezzo-soprano – Ensemble Cappella Mediterranea – Leonardo Garcia Alarcon, conductor – Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria:Act I, scena I.Di misera regina (10:11)

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