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Monteverdi is an odd choice for mezzo-soprano Magdalena Koen. This is true even though she recounts in the booklet how, at the age of 16, she was part of a group devoted to Baroque and Renaissance vocal music; she has talked elsewhere of how the Iron Curtain remained largely opaque to new Western trends in early music performance. The graphics of this album do not say, "Monteverdi, " and in truth Koen is a bit out of her element here. This is not to say that fans of Koen's uniquely shiny voice won't enjoy this release, for when she is given a big tune like "Addio, Roma!" from "L'incoronazione di Poppea" (track eight) , she hits it out of the park as usual. Sample the famous "Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda" (track 11) , or the "Lamento della ninfa" (track two) , where Koen's keen dramatic sense carries the day. You'll find more brilliant ornamentation in the work of other singers, but the straightforward small-ensemble instrumental work of the La Cetra ensemble from Switzerland is well matched to Koen's style. The chilly church acoustic doesn't showcase Koen at her best, but this is a worthwhile addition to Koen collections.



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