Vivaldi - Virtuoso Cantatas; Heroes: opera arias (Philippe Jaroussky)

Vivaldi - Virtuoso Cantatas; Heroes: opera arias (Philippe Jaroussky)
Classical | EAC Rip | FLAC, IMG+CUE, LOG | Covers | 2cd, 580.36 MB

Philippe Jaroussky (born 13 February 1978 in Maisons-Laffitte, France)[1] is a French sopranist countertenor. He began his musical career with the violin, winning an award at the Versailles conservatory and then took up the piano before turning to singing. He is noted for a virtuosic coloratura technique and for compelling and enlivened interpretations of baroque cantatas and operas.
Jaroussky was inspired to sing by the Martinique-born countertenor Fabrice di Falco.[2] He received his diploma from the Early Music Faculty of the Conservatoire de Paris. Since 1996, he has studied singing with Nicole Fallien.[3] He has formed his own ensemble called Artaserse, and also often performs with the Ensemble Matheus under Jean-Christophe Spinosi and with L'Arpeggiata under Christina Pluhar.




Vivaldi - Virtuoso Cantatas (Philippe Jaroussky, Ensemble Artaserse) [2005]
EAC Rip | FLAC, IMG+CUE, LOG | Covers
Virgin | 7243 5 45721 2 8 | 1cd, 321.35 MB

This exciting recording of Vivaldi cantatas for solo voice and instrumental ensemble is one of the more compelling releases of the year to date! While the music of the glorious Venetian Antonio Vivaldi is well known, especially the standard repertoire `The Four Seasons' and the choral works and chamber works - even some operas - the cantatas are rarely performed and this CD of his best ones should change that.
Philippe Jaroussky is yet another fine countertenor who is rather recent on the scene. With the growing popularity of musicians courageous and gifted enough to become successful in the countertenor repertoire (just pause for a moment and think of the significant number a star quality countertenors on the stages today), the numerous pieces for this range of voice continue to appear. Vivaldi's cantatas are refined, beautifully embellished, demanding consummate artistry of not only the high hurdles for the voice but also for the accompanying forces. Jaroussky seems to have endless breath, singing the long extended lines with total ease. His embellishments alter with each da capo as to the period born! This is a voice a great power and warmth and one that feels married to the texts.
Providing brilliant collaboration is the Ensemble Artaserse and period instruments. The variety of color is awe-inspiring and the technique of these unique musicians is impeccable. In their solo portions they produce a richly elegant - yes, Venetian sound. And in tandem with Jaroussky the complete effect is one of single purpose, line, and harmony.
This is a new CD to treasure and the sampling is generous. For this reviewer this is a new repertoire to explore and it would be difficult to imagine forces better suited to these treasures than those on this CD. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, April 05
By Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States)


Vivaldi – Heroes: opera arias (Philippe Jaroussky, Jean-Christophe Spinosi) [2006]
Virgin | 00946 363414 2 2| 1cd, 259.01 MB

I just recently discovered Jaroussky and and am beyond thrilled. I've never given countertenors much thought beyond an occasional Vivaldi opera but having these pulled together in one album changed it for me, all because of Philippe's incomparable voice and an upper registry clarity to make sopranos green with envy. In a matter of days, I've purchased several of his albums as gifts and found it funny that my two colleagues (with drastically different music tastes, one never having listened to opera before!) were listening to him with the same enthusiasm as I. Can not wait to hear more from him and hope that he'll tour in the MidAtlantic US soon.
By VictoriaPB "Victoria" (Reston, VA)


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