Search - Johann Martini, Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, George Frideric Handel :: Monica Groop (mezzo-soprano) - Arie Amorose (Baroque Arias and Songs)

Stellar, LIquid Gold--DON'T MISS THIS ONE!

P. R. Marchesano | Philadelphia PA | 05/22/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is a revelation in a period when many of us cry for a REAL singer to emerge on the scene. Finnish singer Monica Groop has ALL the goods. A truly complete singer who defies categories or labels-though billed as a mezzo-soprano, she has no fear of the heights, sailing easily to high B's, beautifully, without effort. This woman is a true artist and should have the publicity and career that many LESSER singers have achieved.Not since the celebrated artistry of the likes of Sutherland, Tebaldi, Callas, to name a few, have I been this taken with a singer. Groop's extremely varied and complete repertoire defies categorizing this singer as yet another "early music girl." She has complete vocal fluidity and ornamentation in all the right places-indeed her ornamentation and coloratura are accurate, impeccable and clear with a beautiful legato. No huffing and chugging here! Yet one can hear her other recordings: of Bach, Grieg, Sibelius, Brahms and Schubert lieder and song, and understand this is a voice full of beauty and tone, no "paring down" to wisps of flight and fancy for the Baroque and early music! Monica Groop sings with a warm, full and creamy tone that has golden shimmer and excitement. This disc is one of the finest recital discs I have ever come across. It has moved to a place of honor on the same shelf as Sutherland's "Art of the Prima Donna." The selection of 6 Handel arias left me screaming for more! The pieces show beautiful lyric singing, astounding coloratura and simply breathtaking ornamentation. The orchestra, conducted by Juha Kangas is completely involved. Stylistic and musical playing are extraordinary, one example of which is the horn player fearlessly responding with like ornamentation and joining in the cadenza in the stellar "Vo tacito e nascosto" from Guilio Cesare. The additional pieces by Gluck, Purcell (Dido's Lament should go in the history books along t\with Jessye Norman's performance) are equally well performed and are a perfect complement to the Handel. Rounding out the disc are 6 pieces from "Arie Antiche" which have beautifully orchestrated by the conductor.Unbelievable performances of "Sta nell'Ircana" and "Doppo Notte" are balanced with the rich, lustrous reading of the rarely recorded or performed "Verdi prati" make this a recording that should become legendary. No lover of singing of ANY style should be without this disc!"

Amazing CD, I have been waiting for an album like this

ciociosan | Milwaukee, WI United States | 03/03/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great album, very refreshing and relaxing, CD sound quality is excellent. Monica Groop's voice flies like an angel.
I can't stop listening to this CD. My boyfriend, who usually doesn't care for classical music, even likes it!"

My favourite mezzo-soprano

ElsaR | Finland | 04/29/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is absolutely my favourite music! I am a huge fan of renaissance and baroque music and I also love Monica Groops beautiful dramatic mezzosoprano voice; so, this cd was a perfect choice. All the songs and arias fit well to Groop; I love the coloraturas in "Sta nell'ircana" and "Danza fanciulla"; "Che faró", "Plaisir d'amour" and other slow pieces are sung very softly and legatos are excellent. Many other mezzos have problems with vibrato; they use too much vibrato and their voice shake. Groop doesn't have this kind of problems. She also articulates quite well; I had no problem to hear the words of the recitativo in "Frondi tenere-Ombra mai fu". I also like Groop's skills to improvisate in Händel's arias, especially in "Ombra mai fu." My dream is to see Monica Groop on the stage in a leading role of a baroque opera.



I recommend this cd to anyone who likes old vocal music. If you liked Cecilia Bartoli's Se tu m'ami, you will like this too! If you don't like Bartoli's small voice, Groop is a very good alternative."