The best recordings of Monteverdi
We bring you four of the finest examples of the work of Claudio Monteverdi on disc
L’Orfeo
Ian Bostridge etc; Le Concert d’Astrée/Emmanuelle Haïm
Virgin 948 2532
Characterful instrumental playing, with Bostridge as close as anyone to the ‘speaking in song’ of the time.
1610 Vespers
Taverner Consort & Players/Andrew Parrott
Virgin 561 6622
A classic recording, with full liturgical reconstruction and phenomenally good choral and consort tuning.
Fourth Book of Madrigals
Concerto Italiano/Rinaldo Alessandrini
Naïve OP30502
A virtuosic account of this great a capella book.
Flaming Heart – secular choral works
I Fagiolini/Robert Hollingworth
Chandos CHAN0730
An excellent introduction, with madrigals drawn from several books.
