Choose artist...

Top 10 for Dec

Lezhneva : Fagioli : Fasolis - Vivaldi: Gloria / ArtsHub review

Two soloists who have greatly impressed in newly released recordings are Russian star in the making, coloratura mezzo-soprano Julia Lezhneva, displaying remarkable vocal gifts and the Argentinian falsettist Franco Fagioli who astonishes for his dexterity, unusually wide range and rich sonorous quality.

On this recent Decca release both voices join forces in a very fine recording of Vivaldi's perennial favourite Gloria, RV 589 along with his setting of Psalm 127 Nisi Dominus RV 608 composed to be sung during Vespers for the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and finally the solo motet Nulla in mundo pax sincera (In this world there is no honest peace), RV 630.  The Lugano-based specialist ensembles I Barocchisti and Coro della Radiotelevisione svissera (Swiss Radio Choir) are conducted by their Swiss musical director and organist, Diego Fasolis.  This instrumental ensemble, choir and director were entirely unknown to me, though on hearing them I am seriously impressed.

READ THE FULL ArtsHub REVIEW