REVIEWS - MY LADY RICH




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'magnificent... This is a majestic program from start to finish - beautifully conceived and executed. Emily Van Evera's voice seems perfect for evoking the ethereal beauty of Lady Rich.'

American Record Guide

 

'intensely moving and touching... of the highest order... strongly recommended'

Fanfare


'exquisitely wrought album from Emily Van Evera and her seasoned collaborators... a stand-out recording.'

Classic FM Magazine

 

'Van Evera's voice is enchanting. Her command of both the florid and simple English, French and Spanish songs is unimpeachable... A wonderful and unique disc.'

Anna Picard, Independent on Sunday

 

'...Van Evera's dynamic contrasts are riveting, as are the purity and power of her voice. The all-star cast of singers and musicians with whom she performs respond to her dramatization... Lady Rich was once called 'heart-stealing'; this recording is as well.'

BBC Music Magazine

 

'Emily Van Evera is such a fine singer that after a while one won't really care who wrote what, happy just to luxuriate in Van Evera's singing and the fine playing of the all-star instrumental support'

Barnes & Noble


'this recital succeeds marvellously... an impressive cast of musicians... musical portraits are seldom more attractive than this.'

Gramophone

 

'a rich tapestry of miniatures... quite aside from what it teaches you about the period, My Lady Rich is a winning and musically satisfying sequence, balanced to perfection'

The Independent


'an inspired idea... a vivid and touching portrait'

The New York Times

 

'a beautiful album... with a strong poetic and historical interest.'

James Fenton, The Guardian

 

'exquisite ... first-rate'

Early Music Today

 

'An outstanding collection... of unusual quality and beauty... consummately performed. Van Evera's angelic voice carries each piece to airy heights, evoking the beauty of each melody with matchless skill... providing a sparkling glimpse into what the Elizabethan court must have been like. The extensive booklet included with the CD is an added bonus, providing valuable information regarding the music and its origins' 

Renaissance

 

'Although the UK's Avie label has not released an SACD since Lorraine Hunt Lieberson's magnificent Handel recital issued over a year ago, their commitment to producing audiophile quality recordings of fine artists remains paramount. A case in point is this wonderful recording of Elizabethan music dedicated to Lady Penelope Rich... The beauty of Van Evera's voice, which has graced any number of award-winning recordings, is enough to make one hit "repeat"... the quality of the musicianship makes this recording a must'

Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity

 

'As the choice of music suggests, however, she knew more tears than joy, especially when her lover, Lord Mountjoy, died soon after returning from three years' military service in Ireland. John Coprario's Funeral Teares, a set of seven songs inspired by his death, provides the programme's tragic climax. Emily Van Evera's outstanding performance movingly charts Lady Rich's descent from stoical resignation to black despair in the passionate intensity of In Darkness Let Me Dwell, and to the desolation of utter loss in the hushed first verse of My Joy Is Dead. She also provides brilliantly graphic imitations of a whole flock of birds in three consolatory songs by John Bartlet, while some charmingly playful French chansons by Charles Tessier are a reminiscence of happier days at court.'

The Daily Telegraph
Classical CD of the Week, 4/6/05

 

'This CD is brilliantly put together and performed, creating a satisfying and illuminating portrait... the forces assembled... allow great variety... Christopher Morrongiello's lute is beautifully played and recorded, leaving one wanting more; Emily Van Evera's singing is expressive and touching... sighs and silences are exploited to the full... a lovely jauntiness... glorious viol accompaniment. The vocal consort is excellent, as are the opulent-sounding viols...'

Lute News

 

'a magnificent recording.'

Goldberg