Monteverdi: Lamento d'Arianna 'Lasciatemi morire'

“Purists may snip at the friskiness of Claudio Cavina’s period band in these mostly jocular Monteverdi madrigals — sometimes they seem about to discover baroque jazz. Those even more pedantic might cast aspersions at the solo soprano Emanuela Galli for her earthy timbre and for teasing the notes. Myself, I appreciate La Venexiana’s energy.” The Times, 8th August 2009 ***

“Claudio Cavina's orchestration is discreet; Galli's singing blazingly theatrical; it's the perfect ending to a wonderfully varied and always imaginative recital.” The Guardian, 7th August 2009 **** (about Lamento d'Arianna)

“It is a strange album of “musical jokes” that ends with one of the most heart-rending outpourings of grief ever written for the theatre: the Lamento d’Arianna...Here, in a discreet “orchestration” by Cavina, it is the climax of a programme by the soprano Emanuela Galli, sumptuous in tone, noble in demeanour and trenchant in delivery of the Italian text.” Sunday Times, 26th July 2009 ****

“Claudio Cavina takes a flexible approach to what he calls Monteverdi's "light" music… Galli's breathy opening phrase of "Con que soavità" is exquisitely erotic… "Sì dolc'è il tormento" and "Et è pur dunque vero" both feature the effective combination of Doron David Sherwin's sensitive cornetto playing and Galli's emotive singing. The recital concludes with Cavina's new orchestration of the lament from the lost opera Arianna (1608); a sensuous string ensemble gives eloquent support to Galli, whose singing ideally conveys impassioned lamentation without becoming distorted.” Gramophone , Awards 2009

“…Emanuela Galli… brings panache and rhythmic flexibility to 'Quel sguardo', and plaintiveness to 'Si dolc'è il tormento' - helped by the jazzy languidity of Doron Sherwin's cornett playing. …a spirited disc full of interesting music.” BBC Music Magazine, October 2009 ****

“Haim is pure dynamite” Daily Telegraph

“Haim’s meteoric rise has been well charted by the press. It’s easy to understand the excitement - her enthusiasm is infectious, her conducting demeanour distinctive, and her knowledge intense.” Gramophone Magazine

“Waif-like, driven, messianic or explosive, non-conformist, unruly, either way, the conductor Emmanuelle Haim has enough charisma to draw crowds in her wake. Haim is the most dynamic force to have hit the period movement since the 1970s. She’s a born leader” Financial Times

“This all-star cast includes the ravishing Natalie Dessay as Monteverdi's forsaken nymph, Véronique Gens, a proud, desolate Ariadne, and Joyce DiDonato, who sings Octavia's farewell with extraordinary dramatic passion. Much of the interest of this disc lies in its subtleties, Emmanuelle Haïm highlighting telling details...” BBC Music Magazine, November 2008 *****

“A starry host of singers bring their talents to bear on Haïm's programme” Gramophone Magazine, January 2009