Monteverdi - L'Orfeo / Rolfe Johnson, Dawson, von Otter, Argenta, M. Nichols, Tomlinson, Chance, Baird; Gardiner [Box set]

Claudio Monteverdi (Artist), John Eliot Gardiner (Artist), Anthony Rolfe Johnson (Artist), Lynne Dawson (Artist), His Majesty's Sackbutts and Cornetts (Artist), English Baroque Soloists (Artist), Monteverdi Choir (Artist), Nancy Argenta (Artist), Anne Sofie von Otter (Artist), Julianne Baird (Artist), Mary Nichols (Artist), Simon Birchall (Artist), John Tomlinson (Artist), Michael Chance (Artist), Mark Turner (Artist), Howard Milner (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Archiv Produktion
• ASIN: B0000057CV
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #82,255 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #16 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Divas > Otter, Anne Sophie von
  • #37 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Featured Performers, A-Z > M to P
  • #80 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Historical Periods > Baroque (c.1600-1750)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The god of music, July 26, 2000

By 

Dr. Peter J. Glidden "KingFox" (Gli Angeli, California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Monteverdi - L'Orfeo / Rolfe Johnson, Dawson, von Otter, Argenta, M. Nichols, Tomlinson, Chance, Baird; Gardiner (Audio CD)

This recording of the four or five out there that I know of stands out for its common sense: Orpheus was the (semi)god of music, Monteverdi's character was a tenor, therefore the title role must be sung by not only a first-class singer, but by a voice that is its own presence. Such a singer is Anthony Rolfe-Johnson. His legato singing touches the heart and his coloratura thrills the ear. Mr. Rolfe-Johnson's drammatic clarity fulfils all the duties of the role, beautifully. The rest of the cast is hardly less inspired. As La Musica we have a young Lynne Dawson (1987) whose voice, while might have become more interesting with age, was prettier, then. The largely underwritten role of Eurydice is sung adequately by Julianne Baird while Diana Montague (Prosperina), Williard White (Pluto) and Nigel Robson (Apollo) give us some lesser but still "divine" interpretations. Yet let us not forget the dazzling work of J.E. Gardiner who understood the importance of "free play" in the instrumental parts, who refused to be bound by what has been salvaged of an eroded score and allowed both players and singers to feel their way through the music with remarkable freedom that never falls into decadent ornamentation. Bravo.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the most beautiful operas of all time, September 9, 2005

By 

Baroque Opera Freak "Orfeo_1607" (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Monteverdi - L'Orfeo / Rolfe Johnson, Dawson, von Otter, Argenta, M. Nichols, Tomlinson, Chance, Baird; Gardiner (Audio CD)

This recording of Monteverdi's L'Orfeo is truly a spectacular work. I didn't really care for Baroque opera before I heard this. But now Monteverdi is my favorite operatic composer. Not only is the music beautiful but the singers are absolutely stunning. Anthony Rolfe Johnson is absolutely perfect for the title role. His soft yet clear tenor voice shows the passion and the emotion that Orfeo has for Eurydice. Lynne Dawson who sings La Musica has a good voice for introducing the opera. Anne Sofie von Otter who plays Messaggiera, has such a sorrowful and sad voice for her role which makes it all the more better. But the absolute best singer on this recording is John Tomlinson who sings Caronte or the Charon. John Tomlinson is also the voice of the Commendatore in the movie Amadeus. But his deep bass makes you wonder if its at all possible to get past him. But that's not the best part of the opera. The best part about the whole recording is the choir. All the choruses are to die for, especially the chorus "Lasicate i monti." It almost makes one want to dance. But I definitely reccommend this recording to all Baroque opera lovers, even for those who don't like opera.

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favourite recording of any Opera, August 20, 2003

By 

A. Cox "Artist, Musician, Physicist and Cook" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Monteverdi - L'Orfeo / Rolfe Johnson, Dawson, von Otter, Argenta, M. Nichols, Tomlinson, Chance, Baird; Gardiner (Audio CD)

Gardiner, again shows his skill with baroque vocal works. This, regarded as the first great Opera, is still one of the best. The pure singing style of the late renaissance/early Baroque is siblime and very different from Post Baroque opera writing most people are use to. The Aria 'Possente spirto' is 8 minutes of heavenly singing in Hades; here Orfeo fails to convince Charon to allow him entry to Hades, but this is one of the single most beautiful pieces of writing for voice I have ever heard.