"In this compilation of Italian and English Baroque songs, Anne Sofie von Otter demonstrates once again what makes her artistry so special. Von Otter's ability to embrace multiple musical styles authentically has often been praised, but even within music of the same period, the mezzo approaches each song on its own terms, giving it exactly what it requires both emotionally and stylistically...Always a generous collaborator, von Otter cedes the spotlight to her instrumentalists for solo turns, which also serve as transitions between composers." - OPERA NEWS

Anne Sofie von Otter is one of today’s all-around artists, with a repertoire ranging from the Baroque to the 20th century. This latest recording of Baroque songs, interspersed with instrumental solos, shows us the singer as full partner with her colleagues. The selections are varied, as are the accompaniments, so that our attention is never allowed to waver. Starting in Italy with an exuberant piece by Benedetto Ferrari that treats us to an almost cante jondo approach, continuing on to the sublime stillness of Arnalta’s lullaby from L’incoronazione di Poppea, von Otter leans into the passing notes to emphasize the dissonances to which many 17th-century Italian composers were partial. Bernardo Storace’s Ciaccona for harpsichord allows us to switch moods to the English school, where once again the mezzo gets everything just right. Not one single tonal image is neglected. The excellent impressions of earlier recordings of Baroque music by von Otter are here confirmed as to her ability to find the right tone for every selection, whether plaintive (Dowland, in particular) or rousing, using the ornamentation to deepen her insights. The solo opportunities given to Jory Vinikour and Jakob Lindberg demonstrate additional facets of the music of the period, whether keyboard or theorbo (Kapsberger) or lute. - Joel Kasow, FANFARE