The latest releases reviewed.

VIVALDI: GRISELDA, Soloists: Marie-Nicole Lemieux, Veronique Cangemi, Simone Kermes, Philippe Jaroussky, Stefano Ferrari, Iestyn Davies. Ensemble Matheus. Conductor: Jean-Christophe Spinosi, Naive OP 30419, ****

The Vivaldi collection at the National Library in Turin continues to yield up more baroque masterpieces, and this fine recording of Griseldais a welcome release. First produced in 1735, towards the end of the composer's career, Griseldawas written for Anna Giro, a contralto with whom the composer (if contemporary rumour is to be believed) was very close indeed. The plot concerns a husband's intrigues to test his wife's virtue, a seemingly popular subject for operas at the time. The name part is wonderfully sung on this recording by contralto Marie-Nicole Lemieux, while the other singers are all well up to the demands of their roles. The music is vintage Vivaldi, maybe somewhat formulaic in patches, but with sufficient brio and joie de vivre to engage and entrance.

[ www.naive.frOpens in new window ]

COLMAN MORRISSEY