Quinto Libro di Madrigali a sei voci
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LUCA MARENZIO
Quinto Libro di Madrigali a sei voci
Elena Biscuola (mezzo-soprano) / La Compagnia del Madrigale
[ Glossa / CD ]
Release Date: Tuesday 10 February 2015
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La Compagnia del Madrigale's subtle, yet powerful advocacy of great Italian madrigals continues with Marenzio's 'Quinto Libro di Madrigali a sei voci' from 1591. Their previous recordings including the recent award-winning 'Primo Libro', have demonstrated their fresh approach, imbued with invaluable years of experience in other groups such as La Venexiana and Concerto Italiano. From 2016 La Compagnia have been invited to join the concert season at Wigmore Hall. Marenzio's 'Quinto Libro' was dedicated to Virginio Orsini, Duke of Bracciano, on the occasion of his marriage to Flavia Peretti: a wedding album full of the latest musical and poetical techniques. The "Canzon de' baci", with words by Guarini, for example, is a marvel of its kind. However, below the surface polish of elegant and stylised Late Renaissance vocal music lurks a dramatic tale, conjured up by Marco Bizzarini in his booklet essay; of crimes of honour and passion, hired assassins and feuds between powerful aristocratic families… La Compagnia del Madrigal's rendition of Marenzio's madrigals is captured by, and presented with, the Glossa production hallmarks you would expect.
"the singers infuse their accounts with the true spirit of chamber music and, as native Italian speakers, are highly responsive to the drama and nuances of the texts...offering ardent and expressive readings to convey heady emotions and vibrant imagery. The sound is lush but never forced, individual lines are sharply etched while ensemble and intonation are flawless." BBC Music Magazine, Awards Issue 2015 *****
"This CD by the superb Compagnia del Madrigale is something of a masterclass in madrigal singing…[a] perfect blend of clearly defined voices, achieved interestingly without a conductor…this CD confirms Luca Marenzio as one of the most underrated madrigal composers in spite of recent efforts to bring his music to wider attention." Early Music Review, 22nd February 2015
"Self-critical perspective is clearly not a problem for these artists ... the unfurling description of of a lover's kisses permit all kinds of glorious opportunities for the singers' seemingly telepathic understanding for chiaroscuro, impeccable tuning and innate grammatical sense" Editor's Choice Gramophone Magazine, May 2015
"a magnificent collection notable for the dramatic and emotional treatments of the poetry. Led by Rossana Bertini's secure and beguiling soprano on the top line, La Compagnia del Madrigale make passionate advocates of this extraordinary music." Sunday Times, 15th February 2015
"La Compagnia di Madrigale, who released the first book of Marenzio's madrigals two years ago, treat these settings rather decorously; though their singing is ravishingly beautiful, some of it is a bit on the reserved side, and there are moments when less chasteness and a bit more earthiness would be welcome." The Guardian, 5th March 2015 ***
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Quinto Libro di Madrigali a sei voci
