Vivaldi: Gelido in ogni vena (from Il Farnace, RV711)

The Art of Magdalena Kožená is an anthology of her finest performances, documenting both the range of her voice and the breadth of repertoire to which she can bring authority, from early baroque of Monteverdi and Strozzi to sacred arias by Bach, opera arias by Handel, Vivaldi, Mozart, Gounod, Bizet and Auber, as well as orchestral songs by Mahler. To all she brings an absorbing emotional depth and maturity of her interpretative abilities.

Unique to Kožená are the songs rooted in Bohemia and Moravia by Dvořak and Janáček. She still feels closely connected to her Czech roots. “It’s music that stays in your body forever”.

This is Magdalena’s own selection of her favourite songs and arias, sung in French, Italian and German as well as in her mother tongue.

28-page Booklet, including new liner notes from Nick Kimberley.

Marita Paparizou is a Greek mezzosoprano and a genuine coloratura marvel. She gives compelling performances in great roles around the world. Here she performs with the proven baroque opera experts I Solisti Veneti, conducted by Claudio Scimone. In addition to arias by Vivaldi, she performs works by Handel and Bertoni.

Cecilia Bartoli is loved the world over for vocal fireworks and spectacular coloratura, but she is also adored for her spine-tingling pianissimi and her ability to shape endless, velvety phrases. For the first time, this product will focus on the irresistibly sensual side of Cecilia Bartoli's art. It has been conceived as a popular “mood” or lifestyle compilation — presenting quieter arias showcasing Cecilia's vocal beauty, sensuality and emotion. “Sospiri” is designed to present this most accessible aspect of Cecilia Bartoli's art to the broadest popular-classical market.

“Sospiri” will contain favourite arias by Mozart and Handel, bel canto jewels by Bellini and Rossini and treasures by Vivaldi as well as music which Cecilia Bartoli has “rediscovered” on her recent record-breaking solo albums.

For Cecilia’s existing fans, the Prestige Edition includes a previously unreleased aria and world premiere recording of Vinci’s Cervo in bosco, one of Farinelli’s calling card arias.

Both formats include a new interpretation of Rosina's aria Una voce poco fa, from Il Barbiere di Siviglia - the dazzling aria of young love, the role in which Cecilia Bartoli first shot to international stardom. She infuses this new interpretation with all her knowledge of the baroque and classical tradition on which Rossini’s music was founded, her experience of period practice and critical reading of the manuscripts, together with a playfulness and variety of colors which she has acquired over the years. On this track recorded during the Maria sessions Cecilia Bartoli is accompanied by a fantastic period practice orchestra, Orchestra La Scintilla.

Kožená’s own selection of Vivaldi opera and oratorio arias emphasizes the gentler moods she is acclaimed for (Sol da te), but also shows off fierce Vivaldi virtuosity (Nel profondo)

The suggestive Gelido in ogni vena is based on The Four Seasons’ “Winter” movement

Following her avidly received Handel album Kožená’s return collaboration with the VBO and maestro Andrea Marcon will rejoice her fans and make her new ones

The Vivaldi Edition pays tribute to the Venetian composer’s wonderful and all too rarely heard arias for bass voice. Lorenzo Regazzo, with his rich bass and perfect technique, shows that he has all the vocal qualities that are needed for this fine repertoire.