Monteverdi

The aching mood of lament that Monteverdi developed in his gorgeous madrigals and operatic arias sounds tailor-made for Kozená’s voice. The album opens and closes duet-style, as the mezzo teams up with soprano Anna Prohaska. Their harmonies are a delight, as are their contrasting vocal production styles: Kozená favours clear beams of sound, while Prohaska displays flashes of coloratura prowess. The continuo parts are handled gracefully throughout. And on the solo-vocalist numbers, Kozená indulges a dramatic flair by taking tempi slow, allowing for a luxurious encounter with Monteverdian monody.