''La Voix des Reves''.
Philippe Jaroussky, etc,
Virgin DVD.
''The Voice of Dreams'', subtitled in English ''the
greatest moments in concert'' has vocal artistry of a top
countertenor combined with entertaining video - a rare chance
to see the ancient instruments played by several accompanying
baroque groups.
Frenchman Jaroussky is enthusiastic and enchanting singing
works by Handel, Purcell and other early composers.
Among the delights is Purcell's gorgeous Sound the
Trumpet, with a dream interlude in the middle (it is
cleverly jazzed up - then baroque peace is restored).
Other light relief in 160 minutes of 32 items are three comic
duets with Marie-Nicole Lemieux (a bulky prima donna).
Jaroussky also plays violin in a brief Prelude for Two
Violins and Piano by Shostakovich. Anne Sofie von Otter
joins him in a beautiful Handel duet (Son nata a
lagrimar).
Highlights: Great live performances.
''The Voice''.
Philippe Jaroussky.
Virgin 2CDs.
Continuing on a high note (or notes), I applaud Jaroussky
as ''Apollo of countertenors'' (Germany's
Die Zeit.)
From similar design of covers, I expected the CD album to
repeat the DVD music - but no, this excellent compilation
chosen by the soloist has only nine of 32 tracks matching
music on the DVD.
Sadly the live-staged fun items are missing: the jazz
injection into Handel and comic duets with Lemieux.
Perhaps no video was available for these delights in the DVD.
Six of the tracks are new studio recordings, and it's the
34-year-old singer's ''best of'', with works like Porpora's
Alto Giove and Handel's famous Ombra mai fu.
Vivaldi wins many honours, but other composers include
Caldara, Monteverdi and J.C. Bach, plus, from later eras,
Faure's sublime Pie Jesu.
Honours: Outstanding voice and musical delivery.
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