Cathy Berberian sings Monteverdi

On this CD:

1. Se i languidi miei sguardi (Lettera amorosa), madrigal for soprano (from Book 7), SV 141 Se i languidi miei sguardi
Composed by Claudio Monteverdi
Performed by Vienna Concentus Musicus with Cathy Berberian
Conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt

2. Con che soavità, labbra odorate, madrigal for soprano and instruments (from Book 7), SV 139 Con che soavità
Composed by Claudio Monteverdi
Performed by Vienna Concentus Musicus with Cathy Berberian
Conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt

3. Lamento d'Arianna, madrigal in 4 sections for 5 voices (from Book 6), SV 107 Lasciatemi morire
Composed by Claudio Monteverdi
Performed by Vienna Concentus Musicus with Cathy Berberian
Conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt

4. La favola d'Orfeo, opera, SV 318 Act II: Mira, deh mira Orfeo...In un fiorito prato
Composed by Claudio Monteverdi
Performed by Vienna Concentus Musicus with Cathy Berberian, Lajos Kozma, Nigel Rogers, Gunther Theuring
Conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt

5. L' Incoronazione di Poppea, opera in 3 acts, SV 308 Act 1, Scene 5: Disprezza
Composed by Claudio Monteverdi
Performed by Vienna Concentus Musicus with Cathy Berberian
Conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt

6. L' Incoronazione di Poppea, opera in 3 acts, SV 308 Act 2, Scene 9: Tu che dagli Avi miei Maestade che prega
Composed by Claudio Monteverdi
Performed by Vienna Concentus Musicus with Cathy Berberian, Paul Esswood
Conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt

7. L' Incoronazione di Poppea, opera in 3 acts, SV 308 Act 3, Scene 7: Addio Roma
Composed by Claudio Monteverdi
Performed by Vienna Concentus Musicus with Cathy Berberian
Conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt

Tracks:

Concerto: setimo libro de madrigali, con altri genere di canti: Lettera amorosa
Concerto: Con che soavita
Lamento d'Arianna
L'Orfeo: Mira, deh mira Orfeo - In un fiorito prato (From Act III)
L'Incoronazione di Poppea: Disprezzata Regina (From Act I, Scene V)
L'Incoronazione di Poppea: Tu che dagli Avi miei - Maestade, che prega (From Act II, Scene IX)
L'Incoronazione di Poppea: A Dio, Roma (From Act III, Scene IX)

Customer Reviews:

A magnificant CD.......2006-11-13

I am listening to this CD while typing this comment, and my unsophisticated "analysis" is that it is magnificant, beautiful, touching. I know of nothing to compare with Berberian's of "A Dio Roma".

MagnifiCathy and Monteverdi.......2003-02-01

The late Cathy Berberian (1928-1983), who is one of my favourite singers delivered with her Monteverdi programme pure magic. Ms. Berberian, a mezzo-soprano, with a remarkable three octave voice was an amazing performer and singer. From 1950 on she was for a couple of years married to composer Luciano Berio and performed several of his pieces. She would become one of the leading figures of contemporary (progressive) music. Her repertoire ranged from Early music to her husband's folksongs. It has been said of Cathy Berberian that a hundred voices resided within her. This statement nails her vocal abilities perfectly.

The pieces on this disc by Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643) were taken from his madrigal books, the operas 'Orfeo' and 'L'Incoronazione di Poppea'. The eminent Concentus Musicus Wien directed by Nikolaus Harnoncourt lends her a stately but sparse support. In two arias Ms. Berberian is joined by tenor Nigel Rogers and counter tenor Paul Essewood, who are both well known on the Early music scene with solid contributions. Since I own an earlier release of this album, my copy only includes liner notes and no texts. Monteverdi with his passionate outbursts, elaborate thrills and echo effects offers several vocal challenges for any performer of his music. But Cathy Berberian rises superbly to the challenge and delivers an intensely dramatic performance which is riveting. Every shade and nuance of love, sadness, grief and revenge is brought out brilliantly as Ms. Berberian displays a wonderful richness of timbre and insight into the material [especially the 'Lamento D'Arianna' and the arias from 'L'Incoronazione di Poppea']. Her pronunciation and articulation of the texts is excellent, I could hear every word.

A magnificent disc by the lady with a hundred voices!

Cathy Berberian Sings Claudio Monteverdi
Average customer rating:
Cathy Berberian Sings Claudio Monteverdi

Manufacturer: Teldec (Germany)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B0008395H8