The Voice

This "Best of" double CD offers 32 arias and duets sung by the young countertenor Philippe Jaroussky, in a collection, obviously chosen by the singer himself, which includes some of the most beautiful arias from his last decade of work. The album also gives 6 new highly interesting arias which Jaroussky hadn't found another opportunity to publish, some of which were recorded especially for this collection, obviously as a bonus gift from the singer to his audience. Here we find Handel's "Ombra mai fu" and "Venti, turbini", as well as Porpora's "Alto Giove" and Purcell's "Music for a while". The new recording demonstrate that this highly gifted singer has developed his voice and singing even further in the last few years - his tone is possibly even more pure and sweet than before in the highest register, his coloratura, always legato, of a stunning accuracy. As impressive are Jaroussky's always authentic and sincere expression of the content of the music, his wide spectrum of voice colours, his perfect phrasing or his impressive musicality. The selection on this album gives everything from arias by Rossi and Bassani rediscovered by Jaroussky, via treasures by Caldara, J.C. Bach and others, of course favourite arias by Vivaldi ("Vedro con mio diletto", "Sento in seno") and Handel ("Scherza infida" and the breathtakingly sweet "Mi lusinga"), to pieces by Hahn, Fauré and other newer composers. It also includes church music by a variety of composers, including Monteverdi and Sances ("Stabat Mater"). Of course all the ensembles, the singers in the duets (especially the sweet voiced Nuria Rial) and the acoustical quality of this CD are excellent. The booklet contains comments by fellow musicians about Jaroussky, which in their unisono appreciation of his kind and humble personality and wonderful musicianship actually are quite touching. All in all, the CD is a nice choice as a gift for somebody who enjoys vocal music, or if one wants to have a little overview over the work of this extraordinarily lyrical countertenor.