Latest CD releases reviewed
VERONIQUE GENS - TRAGEDIENNES
Arias and Instrumental Items. Les Talens
Lyriques. Conductor: Christophe Rousset
Virgin Classics 00946 346762 9
*****Veronique Gens, one of the
foremost mezzo sopranos before the public today, specialises in the
performing traditions of the French Baroque. Here, she showcases
her art in a cross section of masterpieces from the golden era of
French Baroque Opera, singing arias of the great composers of that
period, from Lully at the court of Louis XIV, through Rameau (the
composer at Louis XV's court) to Gluck in the latter half of the
eighteenth century. The result is a veritable tour de force, with
the singer showing mastery of the differing declamatory and vocal
styles required by these pieces composed during the 17th and 18th
centuries. The disc, winner of the 2006 Gramophone Award for Best
Recital, also includes arias from lesser known composers of the
period, which help to give an insight into the developing
performing styles of the time.
Colman Morrissey
