My Lady Rich
(Avie Records 0045)
‘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
‘[an] exquisitely wrought album from Emily Van Evera
and her seasoned collaborators…
a stand-out recording.’ *
* * * * 5 stars
Classic fM Magazine
‘Van Evera’s voice is enchanting.
Her command of both the florid and simple English, French and Spanish…songs
is unimpeachable… heartbreaking.
A wonderful and unique disc.’ *
* * * * 5
stars
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.’ * * * * 4 stars
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…’ * * *
* * 5 stars
The Independent
‘an inspired idea… a vivid and touching portrait…
The performances…make the mood of the era palpable.’
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’ *
* * * * 5 stars
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.’ 4 ½ stars
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
