Sogno Barocco / Baroque Dream

Run don't walk to the checkout! A beautiful recording of the most wonderful singing. You don't have to know the repertoire to recognise outstanding performances. This will be on my CD players for weeks and months!Buy it now!

Beautifully recorded collection of (mostly) baroque pieces, most of which were new to me. Anne Sofie still sings like an angel.

This is another great album from the accomplished Swedish mezzo-soprano von Otter. I'm a fan of all her recordings and here Otter starts with a version of the relatively well known 'Si Dolce e l'tormento' which is certainly one to remember.Otter covers many pieces of early Baroque music that personally, I had not experienced until now. With the help of Sandrine Piau, this album is nothing short of beautiful.

Swedish mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie Von Otter is in resplendent form onthis new recording of early Italian opera pieces performed togetherwith the Capella Mediterranea ensemble under the direction of conductorLeonardo Garcia Alarcon. The innate warmth and clarity of Ms Von Otter'sdazzling voice captures the melancholy magic of this haunting music toa tee. Although from different works there is wonderful coherence in thepieces chosen for this project. From the heart breaking rendition of 'SiDolce e 'l Tormento' from Monteverdi's Madrigals : Book Nine; through theboisterous (and startlingly modern!) peasant dance rhythms of 'SquarciatoAppena Havea' by Francesco Provenzale and the deeply affecting intimacyand sparkling dramatic highlights of 'Doriclea Lamento' from the opera'Doriclea' by Pier Francesco Cavalli, we are left with no doubt with regardto Ms Von Otter's consummate grasp of this beautiful music's inner light.Two duets with soprano Sandrine Piau : 'Pur Ti Miro' from Monteverdi's'L 'Incoronazione Di Poppea' and 'Dolcissimi Baci' (Sweet kisses indeed!);a further duet with alto Susanna Sundberg (also on splendid form) on'Lamento Della Regina Di Svezia' from Luigi Rossi's ''Un Ferito CavalieroDi Polve' and three instrumental interludes from 'Elena' by Pier FrancescoCavalli, also make for a varied and emotionally rewarding listening experience.Truly glorious echoes from a golden age.Highly Recommended.

After so very many years of recording and performing Miss von Otter still has kept her wonderful voice in great shape. There is a secret behind this: She NEVER, EVER forces it. This lovely record was nominated for a Grammy and got the highest accolade for a record in Sweden: A "Grammis".