Opera

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VERONIQUE GENS - TRAGEDIENNES
Arias and Instrumental Items. Les Talens Lyriques. Conductor: Christophe Rousset Virgin Classics 00946 346762 9 *****Veronique Gens, one of the foremost mezzo sopranos before the public today, specialises in the performing traditions of the French Baroque. Here, she showcases her art in a cross section of masterpieces from the golden era of French Baroque Opera, singing arias of the great composers of that period, from Lully at the court of Louis XIV, through Rameau (the composer at Louis XV's court) to Gluck in the latter half of the eighteenth century. The result is a veritable tour de force, with the singer showing mastery of the differing declamatory and vocal styles required by these pieces composed during the 17th and 18th centuries. The disc, winner of the 2006 Gramophone Award for Best Recital, also includes arias from lesser known composers of the period, which help to give an insight into the developing performing styles of the time. Colman Morrissey

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