Albinoni reviews
Queen of Baroque (Cecilia Bartoli)
Cecilia Bartoli (mezzo-soprano), et al; Il Giardino Armonico/Giovanni Antonini (Decca)
Credo (Marina Rebeka)
Marina Rebeka (soprano); Latvian Radio Choir; Sinfonietta Riga/Modestas Pitrėnas (Prima Classic)
Extra Time
La Serenissima/Adrian Chandler (Signum Classics)
Dolce Duello: Cecilia Bartoli in friendly rivalry with Sol Gabetta
Despite its sugary title and frothy cover, this disc features music-making of the highest order and a rigorously researched programme of Baroque arias with obbligato cello – a sweet duel (or ‘dolce duello’) between the human voice and the then young instrument, oft praised for its vocal qualities. Long-term friends and colleagues, mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli and cellist Sol Gabetta make for valiant duelling partners who converse, parry and riposte in spirited combat.