Amor Sacro: Vivaldi Mottetti
This knockout CD of Vivaldi motets is a thrilling ride. They are scored for soprano and strings and show the wonderful variety of effects Vivaldi had at his disposal (faster, more dramatic arias use the metaphor of a ship in storm-tossed seas, searching for calm winds and safety): in other words, the same stuff he uses in his operas. But here, because these motets are religious in nature, it is the soul in flux that is wishing for God, or a saint, to guide it. Vivaldi will use the lower strings to give the feeling of menacing weather while the singer navigates through outlandishly difficult coloratura (fast runs, octave leaps, high stacatto effects); conversely, each motet also contains a slow, introspective aria which requires a long, soft vocal line. Conductor Andrea Marcon leads the superb Venice Baroque Orchestra in energetic performances, with sharp attacks and dramatic tempi choices. And the remarkable soprano Simone Kermes, with her diamond-brilliant tone and technical virtuosity, makes each of these pieces a little opera, filled with drama, pathos and simply gorgeous singing, whether high, low, loud, or soft. This is an exciting, greatly entertaining disc.--Robert Levine