Vivaldi: Sum in medio tempestatum RV632

“Simone Kermes is an agile singer with a wide vocal range who is comfortably able to negotiate Vivaldi's virtuoso writing with technical panache and expressive warmth.” BBC Music Magazine, April 2007 *****

“Opening with one of the composer's most thrillingly virtuoso motets, In furore iustissimae irae, the Venice Baroque Orchestra go on to one of his most beautiful, Nullo in mundo pax. And if the other two are less individually striking, they are nevertheless well worth hearing; In turbato mare opens with a stomach-churning depiction of those raging seas that are always tossing the soul so, and later conjures dread at mention of the 'horrors of death', while Sum in medio tempestatum treats a similar subject with a touch more mid-century leisure and politeness.
The disc is, of course, a vehicle for Simone Kermes, whose bright vocal talents have so far impressed in a number of Baroque operas but here make their solo recording debut. She proves more than a match for Vivaldi's typically athletic vocal demands – indeed adds to them in a number of tessitura-extending cadenzas – and makes much of the music's bold contrasts. Some may look for more innocence in the gentler music, where her mini-vibrato can sound rather knowing, but in general Kermes's performances give nothing but pleasure. The orchestra is forthright and exciting, with a satisfyingly full, organ-enriched sound, marred only by some of the cheesy lute embellishments.
A straightforward Vivaldi disc, but one full of the strength of expertise.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010

“…Simone Kermes… proves more than a match for Vivaldi's typically athletic vocal demands - indeed adds to them in a number of tessitura-extending cadenzas - and makes much of the music's bold contrasts. The orchestra is forthright and exciting, with a satisfying full, organ-enriched sound...” Gramophone Magazine, June 2007