Search - Antonio Vivaldi, Federico Maria Sardelli, Modo Antiquo :: Vivaldi: Le Cantate, Parte terza

Third of a Great Set of Solo Cantatas

Giordano Bruno | Wherever I am, I am. | 06/12/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the third of three CD-volumes devoted to the solo cantatas of Antonio Vivaldi. Three of these cantatas are included in the Vivaldi Masterworks box, on a disk which also carries three of the pieces from volume two, sung by Elena Cecchi Fedi. The cantata texts are not included in the box and will be sorely missed. Otherwise these disks are the best vocal performances in the 40 CD box. Even so, you might want to buy this first release CD in order to get the other three cantatas.



Soprano Nicky Kennedy has a wider reputation than Cecchi or Rossana Bertini, who sings on the first volume; all three are splendid, though Kennedy at times has just a tad less authority over her rapid ornaments. Vivaldi, like JS Bach, has been accused of writing virtuoso instrumntal music for the human voice, demanding flute-like agility in leaping intervals, flurries of little notes, sustained trills, endlessly unfurling arpeggios, and intonation as precise as that of a keyboard. Well, guess what? It's true, and it's awfully much fun to hear when the singer has the art for it. Kennedy has plenty of bravura technique and a bright operatic tone besides, without any operatic wobble.



The continuo players of Modo Antiquo - cello, lute, and harpsichord - have just the right robust, spirited manner to support such emotive singing.



[See my reviews of the first and second volumes of the set for more comments.]"