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Vivaldi: Luce e ombra
Myriam Leblanc, soprano. Grégoire Jeay, flute; Antoine Malette-Chénier, Baroque triple harp;
Marie-Michel Beauparlant, cello (Ensemble Mirabilia)
Analekta AN 2 9137
Total time: 60:47
Equated in the public mind with peppy concerti, Vivaldi was similarly prolific (and predictable) as a vocal composer. This program spotlighting the young lyric soprano Myriam Leblanc mixes melancholy and uptempo numbers with instrumental entr’actes by a trio of flute, cello and harp (the last standing in for a harpsichord and sounding much like a lute). The opening track, an extended aria (“Gelido in ogni vena”) from the opera Il Farnace, brings to mind Winter with the layered sonorities of the introduction. The steady and implacable flute of Grégoire Jeay is almost a second soloist in the cantata All’ombra di sospetto. Leblanc has a pure and agile voice. She applies vibrato sparingly, even where lengthy suspensions could use some intensity and support. The impression sometimes is of a boy soprano pouring out improbably adult emotions. Still, this is pleasing program, closely recorded in keeping with the modest forces. The booklet includes complete texts but no explanatory notes to speak of.
This page is also available in / Cette page est également disponible en:
Francais (French)
