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Artek's recording of Orfeo is one of the most exciting and sonically thrilling Orfeo's on disc. A two-CD set of Monteverdi's complete opera Orfeo, by ARTEK, directed by Gwendolyn Toth.
This is the first American recording of Monteverdi's operatic masterpiece and sports a stellar cast of gifted singers and instrumentalists including the great tenor, Jeffrey Thomas in the title role, Dana Hanchard as Euridice and La Musica, Jessica Tranzillo as Ninfa and Proserpina, Jennifer Lane as Messaggiera and Speranza and Pastore, Timothy Leigh Evans and Pastore and Spirito, Michael Brown as Apollo and, once again, baritone and lutenist, Paul Shipper in three roles. ARTEK is a New York City based ensemble, whose work reflects the artistic vision of founding director, Gwendolyn Toth.

Reviews:

"Another entry of outstanding quality this month is Monteverdi: Orfeo (Lyrichord LEMS 9002). Gwendolyn Toth directs ARTEK in a playing that has soloists of real distinction, sound quality that is arresting, and instrumental playing of exceptional clarity and grace. The "early music" movement continues to be distinguished by controversy as it is by some truly exciting performances. This realization is not going to settle any of the more pungent discussions about continuo parts or even some of the embellishments. What it does, however, is give one of the most soundly reasoned arguments for its methods and results. Tenor Jeffrey Thomas, in the title role, is an almost ideal choice as both singer and interpreter. 'Rosa del ciel', his opening aria, shows his freshness of voice and his ability to carry a thrillingly long breath line in this joyous statement. Dana Hanchard, the Euridice who also sings the part of La Musica, is a worthy companion to Thomas in every way. She, too, shows that her commitment to the role is deep and results in some mind- and ear-catching music making. One thing that is immediately evident in this outing is the use of warm vibrato by the singers. Whoever got the idea that those vibratoless interpretations had any validity must be one of the most mis-guided people in all of music. Orfeo comes from a time and a place where the high intellectual standards were companion to a lustiness of equal strength. A voice devoid of warmth certainly does not depict that style. The other soloists [are] Jessica Tranzillo as Ninfa and Proserpina, Jennifer Lane as Messaggiera and Speranza and Pastore, Timothy Leigh Evans as Pastore and Spirito, Michael Brown as Apollo and others and the journeyman Paul Shipper, doing what he always does well as both instrumentalist and in three singing roles."
-Daniel Cusick,
Scranton Times

"A luminous account of this magical opera in its first American recording. Toth's fine period-instrument ensemble lets the music dance and breathe, yet her expansive, almost Romantic conception of the piece sacrifices no emotional detail. [Seven] singers share all 16 name parts and serve as the chorus. Tenor Jeffrey Thomas inhabits the central role; mezzo-soprano Jennifer Lane is especially touching as the Messenger and Hope. The resonance of the church where it was recorded meshes beautifully with Toth's open, flexible sound."
-Heidi Waleson,
Billboard

"A new recording by Artek, a New York ensemble directed by Gwendolyn Toth (Lyrichord LEMS 9002, two CD's), captures much of the work's vitality and depth, and if it has some shortcomings -- a minimal cast doubling on roles, for example -- it nevertheless boasts a superb Orfeo in Jeffrey Thomas. Dana Hanchard and Paul Shipper also bring character to their various roles, but the real attraction is the instrumental playing. These players have a flair for ornamentation, and even when they go over the top, the results are compelling."
-ALLAN KOZINN
New York Times

CLICK HERE TO HEAR RADIO SPOT ABOUT THIS RECORDING.

Tracks:

DISC ONE
1. Toccata - 1:57
2. Ritornello - Dal Mio Permesso Amato [Prologue] - 5:56
3. Act 1: In Questo Lieto E Fortunato Giorno - 1:31
4. Act 1: Vieni Imeneo - 0:52
5. Act 1: Muse, Onor Di Parnaso - 0:53
6. Act 1: Lasciate I Monti - 1:51
7. Act I: Ma Tu, Gentil Canto - 0:43
8. Act 1: Rosa Del Ciel - 2:09
9. Act 1: Io Non Diro Qual Sia - 0:50
10. Act I: Lasciate I Monti - 0:55
11. Act 1: Vieni Imeneo - 0:52
12. Act 1: Ma S'il Nostro Gioir - 0:48
13. Act 1: Ritornello - Alcun Non Sia - 3:32
14. Act 1: Ecco Orfeo - 0:37
15. Act 2: Sinfonia - Ecco Pur Ch'a Voi Ritorno - 3:05
16. Act 2: Ritornello - Vi Ricorda, O Boschi Ombrosi - 2:12
17. Act 2: Mira, Deh Mira Orfeo - 0:27
18. Act 2: Ahi, Caso Acerbo - 3:05
19. Act 2: In Un Fiorito Prato - 2:43
20. Act 2: Ahi, Caso Acerbo - 1:15
21. Act 2: Tu Se' Morta - 2:41
22. Act 2: Ahi, Caso Acerbo - 1:21
23. Act 2: Ma Io Ch'in Questa Lingua - 1:30
24. Act 2: Sinfonia - 1:03
25. Act 2: Chi Ne Consola - 2:01
26. Act 2: Ahi, Caso Acerbo - 0:29
27. Act 2: Ma Dove - 2:15
28. Act 2: Ahi, Caso Acerbo - 0:39
29. Act 2: Ritornello - 0:54

DISC TWO
30. Act 3: Sinfonia - 0:47
31. Act 3: Scorto Da Te Mio Nume - 1:41
32. Act 3: Ecco L'atra Palude - 2:49
33. Act 3: Dove, Ah Dove - 0:55
34. Act 3: O Tu Ch'innanzi Mort'a Queste Rive - 1:37
35. Act 3: Sinfonia - 0:32
36. Act 3: Possente Spirto - 9:03
37. Act 3: O De Le Luci Miei - 1:05
38. Act 3: Sol Tu, Nobile Dio - 1:09
39. Act 3: Ben Mi Lusinga Alquanto - 2:18
40. Act 3: Sinfonia - 0:33
41. Act 3: Ei Dorme - 2:13
42. Act 3: Sinfonia - Nulla Impresa - 3:34
43. Act 4: Signor, Quel Infelice - 2:16
44. Act 4: Benche Severo - 2:22
45. Act 4: O De Gli Habitator - 1:07
46. Act 4: Quali Gratie Ti Rendo - 1:54
47. Act 4: Pietade, Oggi - 0:23
48. Act 4: Ecco Il Gentil Cantor - 0:16
49. Act 4: Ritornello - Qual Honor - 1:09
50. Act 4: Ma Mentre Io Canto - 1:20
51. Act 4: O Dolcissimi Lumi - 0:35
52. Act 4: Ahi, Vista Troppo Dolce - 0:58
53. Act 4: Torna A L'ombre Di Morte - 0:23
54. Act 4: Dove Ten Vai - 0:59
55. Act 4: Sinfonia - E La Virtute - 3:26
56. Act 5: Ritornello - 0:45
57. Act 5: Questi I Campi - 1:40
58. Act 5: Vuoi Vi Doleste - 2:45
59. Act 5: Ma Tu, Anima Mia - 1:09
60. Act 5: Tu Bella Fusti - 1:04
61. Act 5: Hor L'altre Donne - 0:42
62. Act 5: Sinfonia - 0:34
63. Act 5: Perch'a Lo Sdegno - 3:54
64. Act 5: Saliam Cantand'al Cielo - 1:12
65. Act 5: Ritornello - Vanne Orfeo Felice A Pieno - 1:07
66. Act 5: Moresca - 1:06


Fanfare's Royal S. Brown interviews Gwen Toth and Dongsok Shin of ARTEK

Additional Information

Go to the ARTEK website.