This two-fer (two CDs at reduced price) is worth buying for the first CD alone. Rinaldo Alessandrini has “reconstructed”–from bits of Monteverdi’s religious music–what he believes to have been a complete Vespers service from the composer’s time, and not only does he make a good case, but he and his Concerto Italiano (and soloists) play and sing the music brilliantly. Those who have simply “had it” with very proper English choruses mincing through Monteverdi must hear Alessandrini’s way with it, including full-blooded singing despite only one voice to a part (but what individual voices!), fierce attacks, and just enough piety to keep the religion flowing. The brief (nine-and-a-half-minute) Magnificat is almost as appealing, and the eight motets are stunning, even when heard one after the other.
The second CD is a collection of various bits of Monteverdi as well, with the Lamento d’Arianna and Tirsi e Clori as the longest works. Interspersed are brief madrigals and orchestral pieces, and as a whole the second CD doesn’t rivet and enchant the way the first does. But it doesn’t matter–individually the pieces are fine and as well-performed as can be. Naïve supplies no notes–just a track listing, along with directions to its French-only, badly put-together website. But Viva Monteverdi–and Alessandrini!
