Contre-ténors

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a splendid taster for those who haven’t yet exploited this niche of the music...Eight singers of undisputed high quality can be heard here, and they are only the tip of the iceberg. Repertoire-wise... — MusicWeb International, 13th November 2013 More…

Release Date: 11th Mar 2013
Catalogue No: V5328
Label: Naive
Length: 68 minutes

Excerpt, Vivaldi: Nisi Dominus (Psalm 126), RV608

Work length5:11

$1.00

$1.30

Philippe Jaroussky (countertenor)
Ensemble Matheus
Jean-Christophe Spinosi

Nisi Dominus, RV 608: Cum dederit

Track length5:11

$1.00

$1.30

Excerpt, Bach, J S: Cantata BWV175 'Er rufet seinen Schafen mit Namen'

Work length3:31

$1.00

$1.30

Andreas Scholl (countertenor)
Leipzig Concerto Vocale, Limoges Baroque Ensemble
Christophe Coin

Er rufet seine Schafen mit Namen, BWV 175: Aria: Komm, leite mich

Track length3:31

$1.00

$1.30

Purcell: O solitude, my sweetest choice, Z406

Work length6:06

$1.00

$1.30

Gérard Lesne (countertenor)
Seminario Musicale, Il

Excerpt, Gluck: Orfeo ed Euridice

Work length3:29

$1.00

$1.30

James Bowman (countertenor)
Grande Ecurie et la Chambre du Roy
Jean-Claude Malgoire

Orfeo ed Euridice, Act III: Aria: Che faro senza Euridice?

Track length3:29

$1.00

$1.30

Excerpt, Vivaldi: Dixit Dominus, RV594

Work length2:15

$1.00

$1.30

James Bowman (countertenor)
Grande Ecurie et la Chambre du Roy
Jean-Claude Malgoire

Dixit Dominus, RV 594: De torrente in via

Track length2:15

$1.00

$1.30

Dowland: Can she excuse my wrongs? (First Booke of Songes, 1597)

Work length3:39

$1.00

$1.30

Gérard Lesne (countertenor)
Orlando Gibbons Ensemble

Excerpt, Bach, J S: Cantata BWV85 'Ich bin ein guter Hirt'

Work length3:20

$1.00

$1.30

Andreas Scholl (countertenor)
Leipzig Concerto Vocale, Limoges Baroque Ensemble
Christophe Coin

Ich bin ein guter Hirt, BWV 85: Aria: Jesus ist ein guter Hirt

Track length3:20

$1.00

$1.30

Excerpt, Vivaldi: Orlando Furioso, RV728

Work length7:52

$2.00

$2.60

Philippe Jaroussky (countertenor)
Ensemble Masques
Jean-Christophe Spinosi

Orlando furioso, RV Anh. 84, Act I: Sol da te, mio dolce amore

Track length7:52

$2.00

$2.60

Excerpt, Vivaldi: Griselda, RV718

Work length3:46

$1.00

$1.30

Iestyn Davies (countertenor)
Ensemble Matheus
Jean-Christophe Spinosi

Griselda, RV 718, Act II: Aria: La rondinella amante

Track length3:46

$1.00

$1.30

Excerpt, Charpentier, M-A: Mors Saülis et Jonathae H 403

Work length2:18

$1.00

$1.30

Gérard Lesne (countertenor)
Seminario Musicale, Il

Mors Saulis et Jonathae , H. 403, Part I: Seconde symphonie de l'enchantement, "Ecquid ad surdos nunc spargo carmina?"

Track length2:18

$1.00

$1.30

Excerpt, Handel: Giulio Cesare in Egitto

Work length6:38

$1.00

$1.30

James Bowman (countertenor)
Grande Ecurie et la Chambre du Roy
Jean-Claude Malgoire

Giulio Cesare in Egitto, HWV 17, Act I: Aria: Va tacito e nascosto

Track length6:38

$1.00

$1.30

Excerpt, Vivaldi: Orlando Furioso, RV728

Work length3:56

$1.00

$1.30

David Lee (tenor)
Modo Antiquo
Federico Maria Sardelli

Orlando furioso, RV Anh. 84, Act II: Aria: Piangero, sin che l'onda del pianto

Track length3:56

$1.00

$1.30

Excerpt, Vivaldi: Motezuma

Work length3:31

$1.00

$1.30

Dominique Visse (countertenor)
Grande Ecurie et la Chambre du Roy
Jean-Claude Malgoire

Motezuma, RV 723, Act I: Aria: Gl'oltraggidella sorte

Track length3:31

$1.00

$1.30

Dowland: Flow my teares (Lacrimæ)

Work length4:12

$1.00

$1.30

Gérard Lesne (countertenor)
Orlando Gibbons Ensemble

Broschi, R: Farinelli, il castrato

Work length8:20

$2.00

$2.60

Derek Lee Ragin (countertenor), Ewa Mallas-Godlewska (soprano)
Talens Lyriques, Les
Christophe Rousset

Farinelli, il castrato: son qual nave ch'agitata

Track length8:20

$2.00

$2.60

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About

The 1994 film 'Farinelli' catapulted the countertenor voice into the limelight. Nearly 20 years later, one thing is clear: countertenors are sought after by opera houses, record companies and agents more than ever. The English singer James Bowman was one of the pioneers of the countertenor repertoire: his ability to create a luscious sound with a fluid legato is ably demonstrated in his legendary recording of the aria from Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice, “Che faro senza Euridice”, and in “Va tacito e nascosto” from Handel’s Giulio Cesare.

In the French countertenor firmament Dominique Visse stands out for his musicianship. His voice takes on a biting, slightly stinging quality in the aria from Vivaldi’s 'Montezuma'. Gérard Lesne founded Il Seminario Musicale in 1985.

Today Lesne’s expanded musical horizons include both jazz and pop recordings. The American Derek Lee Ragin, took off with his recording of the 'Farinelli' soundtrack. The film’s director, Gérard Corbiau, had the bold idea of mixing Ragin’s countertenor voice with that of soprano Ewa Mallas-Godlewska, thereby creating the unique timbre of a castrato.

Andreas Scholl's excerpts from two Bach cantatas showcase his fascinating timbre as well as his sense of rhetoric and phrasing.

A brilliant new generation of counter-tenors continues to carry the torch. Foremost among them is Philippe Jaroussky; his instantly recognisable voice is of an audacious purity. Iestyn Davies, born in 1979, is a great admirer of James Bowman.

His voice combines expressive flexibility and technical agility, and these qualities stand out in his recording of an aria from Vivaldi’s 'Griselda'. The rising Korean star David DQ Lee displays robust vocal foundations and masterful breathing technique.

If further proof of the countertenors’ achievements were needed, it can be found in the fact that major opera houses now slate works with entirely male casts, bringing together up to nine countertenors! What was once just a fashion has become the cutting edge.

Reviews

13th November 2013

a splendid taster for those who haven’t yet exploited this niche of the music...Eight singers of undisputed high quality can be heard here, and they are only the tip of the iceberg. Repertoire-wise very little is standard fare

Contre-ténors

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