An honest album but not exceptional

As often, this type of album generates as many rave reviews as lapidary. Surely the purists will not find their account. This album has indeed no overall coherence, rather it is a medley of Baroque music from Monteverdi to Handel, Purcell and Dowland well. Even if we remain in the same period, it is a bit big musical difference.

The voice of Danielle De Niese is very beautiful, but it seems over the records whether a wider voices installed. This type of voice is more suited to stage than studio. There is indeed much better recordings of songs on this album. However, the quality is not bad, and some tunes are very well sung. In my view, it is mainly the direction of Harry Bicket, too slow which affects some passages where the voice lack of tone and shine. Trying too hard to let ripen the sound is a little spoiled fruit we used the conductor with a singer who does his best but would have deserved a more feverish direction. Still, all is an invoice more than correct.

The pretty pictures that accompany the booklet will necessarily scream some marketing scandal because in the world of opera, it is unthinkable to be pretty and sing well (just yet listen Renée Fleming, Anna Netrebko or for Diana Damrau will convince him otherwise).

A good album for anyone interested in baroque but disappoint some purists.