Monteverdi: Combattimento

"Rolando Villazon is a superbly histronic narrator in Il combattimento, and there is thrilling vocal virtuosity at the climax of the battle, with Clorinda's poignant dying words sung very gently."

"Recordings of Monteverdi’s portrayal of the combat between Tancredi and Clorinda are not in short supply, but this is the best. It conjurs up excitement not just through speed (though it is very fast), but through the magnificent theatrical instincts of the narrator (Rolando Villazón) and the compelling involvement of the instrumentalists."

"The big surprise is the casting of Rolando Villazón as the narrator in the Combattimento. This is the piece in which Monteverdi introduced the stile concitato, with onomatopoeic effects to represent the fighting. The burden falls on the narrator, and Villazón shoulders it with relish...there is a beguiling lilt to 'Si dolce è'l tormento'. In the duets... the kisses of 'Tornate, o cari baci' are winningly done. Lehtipuu builds up the strophic variations of 'Tempro la cetra' magnificently, and he is even more engaging in... 'Maledetto sia l'aspetto'... Le Concert d'Astreé and Emmanuelle Haïm give admirable support."