By JD88992
25-Mar-2013

Diva doesn’t disappoint  

I have no idea if Karina Gauvin is a prima donna in real life, but she plays one here to good effect. Her previous Handel disc focused on the oratorios; this time she sings arias from the operatic roles created by a single performer, Anna Maria Strada.

Naturally, there’s a lot of variety in the program, which opens with one of two ‘storm’ arias and ends with the lyrical “Care selve.” Also on offer are two numbers from roles Strada created for other composers, including a flirtatious “Addio caro” in which Vivaldi’s jaunty melody gives the lie to the words.

Gauvin’s voice is warm and appealing, though she can lighten it to whiz through the divisions. With Alexander Weimann at the helm of the Arion Orchestre Baroque again, the three orchestral tracks are well-played, but I think most listeners would prefer to have more of the singer, especially when she’s this good.

Texts, translations, and notes provided, as well as some fun photos of the diva.
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WETA
26-Nov-2012

By Robert Levine
ClassicsToday.com
01-Nov-2012