In the category of vocal recitals, little thought is given to baroque programs. But this one, by the great soprano Véronique Gens, is a model of the genre. It is a kind of return to the music and the repertoire of a very symbolic CD for Véronique Gens: the first volume of “Tragédiennes”, engraved in 2006 with Christophe Rousset for Virgin. The vocal stuff won by the singer serves the passionate eloquence (aria “Hope so dear and so sweet” byAtys), Olivier Rosset’s sound recording at the Metz Arsenal is supremely successful (“Tempête”, by Pascal Colasse, beach4), and the performance of the Chantres of the Center de musique baroque de Versailles and the ensemble Les Surprises (what colors!), under the direction of Louis-Noël Bestion de Camboulas, is much more than an accompaniment. The program cleverly alternates airs and orchestral interludes. Beyond the timbre and dramatic intelligence, we also admire an exceptional pronunciation that never comes across the vocal line. Large disc.
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