Monteverdi - Heaven and Earth

Fourth release on the new VIVAT label features an outstanding collection of vocal music by Claudio Monteverdi.

14 glorious tracks present an exquisitely varied programme on the theme of love in all its conflicting emotions, its joys and sweet pains affecting gods and mere mortals.

All-star cast including Carolyn Sampson, Sarah Connolly, Rebecca Outram, Charles Daniels and James Gilchrist joined by The King’s Consor­t’s highly colourful instrumental ensemble.

Includes the melancholy ‘Lamento della Ninfa’, the virtuoso ‘Zefiro torna’, exquisite love duets, Orfeo’s famous ‘Possente spirto’, a plangent lament from ‘Poppea’, and Monteverdi’s ex­traordinary ‘Hor che ’l ciel’.

Recorded in the unsurpassed acoustic of St Jude-on-the-Hill, London. 48 page booklet with authoritative liner note by renowned Monteverdi scholar Prof. John Whenham
(in English, French and German), plus full texts and translations (Italian and English).
Note to distributors and dealers: Originally recorded in 2002 for a private European client, this 24-bit recording is now being made available commercially for the first time.

Press about VIVAT’s first discs
“What a great way to launch a new label.” (CD Review, BBC Radio 3)
“It’s a magnificent start for a potentially exciting new label.” (The Scotsman)
“Another hit for The King’s Consor­t’s new label.” (The Observer)
“This CD, full of incandescent, hugely commited music making, will be an award-winner. You simply have to hear it.” (BBC Music Magazine)