Elena Cecchi Fedi, Modo Antiquo, Federico Maria Sardelli - Vivaldi: Le Cantate, Parte seconda (2005)

This is the second of three CD-volumes devoted to the solo cantatas of Antonio Vivaldi. Half of this volume and half of volume 3 are included in the Vivaldi Masterworks box of 40 CDs. The big box comes for an attractive price, but this CD is so spectacular that you might consider wanting it even if you have the Masterworks, especially since the cantata texts are not included in the box. Note that the price, for the moment at least, is right.

Soprano Elena Cecchi Fedi has exactly the voice I'd imagine a Madonna by Rafael to have, a vocal complexion so smooth and lifelike that you can't see the brushmarks. Vivaldi, like JS Bach, has been accused of writing virtuoso instrumntal music for the human voice, demanding flute-like agility in leaping intervals, flurries of little notes, sustained trills, endlessly unfurling arpeggios, and intonation as precise as that of a keyboard. Well, guess what? It's true, and it's awfully much fun to hear when the singer has the chops for it. Cecchi has not only a lush low soprano tone but also every bit of the technical control to carry off these showcase pieces.

The continuo players of Modo Antiquo - cello, lute, baroque guitar, and harpsichord - are active partners in this spirited performance, playing their supportive roles with character and then once in a while pulling out the stops for some obbligato fantasy.

Don't expect variety from these cantatas other than that which comes with Vivaldi's compositional genius. The CD contains six solo cantatas for the same singer, and almost every cantata consists of two recitativos and two arias. It show this music little respect to complain that "they all sound alike." The likeness is just on the surface; listen fully and you'll hear wit, passion, and invention. If I were programming a concert of Vivaldi, I'd include one cantata in each half, matched with affectively appropriate instrumental works. And that's how you'll enjoy these cantatas most, by listening to one at a session, rather than playing the whole CD as wallpaper music.