Rehearsal for the nine-part ‘Questi vaghi concenti’, January 2009

Monteverdi – Sweet Torment

Sweet Torment - Monteverdi: Madrigals - Robert Hollingworth, Fagiolini, I & Barokksolistene

Monteverdi series No.3

Sweet Torment features the magnificent Il Ballo dell’Ingrate, a 35-minute drama from 1608, the same year as the lost opera Arianna. Venus descends to the gates of hell looking for revenge on the young women who have refused the advances of suitable young men… Suave dances for strings, ‘a horrible noise of untuned timpani’ [original stage direction] and another beautiful lament for a soprano Ingrate.

 

Other works include his settings of both Zefiro torna poems (a first on CD) and other masterworks from the fifth to eighth books of madrigals.

“Hollingworth brings a unique perspective to Monteverdi… a worthy alternative to other versions.” Fanfare (USA)

“Terrific musical discernment… beautiful solo soprano singing… real musical panache… This takes us on a very special musical journey.” BBC Music Magazine

Il Ballo dell’Ingrate – Pluto + Barokksolistene

“Surveys of Monteverdi’s madrigals which confine themselves to a single book are the norm these days. It’s much riskier to take the anthology route. Yet one of the greatest pleasures of this series so far is the sense of discovery engendered by Hollingworth’s mixing up of pieces.” International Record Review

With three Italian groups laying down their complete Monteverdi, why are these Britons also entering the lists? Because their artistry is superb. Monteverdi’s whole career is reflected in this unusually faithful period-instrument collection.” The Independent (Disc of the Week)

Ohime il bel viso (book VI)

 

Buy it at Amazon or Chandos

Chandos CHAN 0760
Released June 2009

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