CCMusic.com

Lebanese-American tenor Karim Sulayman's neat encapsulation of the Orpheus myth infuses his solo recording debut, 'Songs of Orpheus.' Orpheus, the greatest singer of all time, famously followed his deceased beloved Eurydice to the gates of Hades in an attempt to bring her back to life. He was thwarted by the gods who forbade him to gaze at her during their journey back to earth. He could not resist, and the tale has been told in numerous musical interpretations including those of Monteverdi and his 17th-century compatriots who are represented on this imaginative album, performed with leading baroque interpreters Jeannette Sorrell and Apollo's Fire. Acclaim for Karim Sulayman and Apollo's Fire has been widespread: "the soloists and instrumentalists are first class" (BBC Music Magazine) "an absorbing collection of early music, beautifully performed by the Cleveland-based instrumental-choral ensemble and vocal soloists" (Chicago Tribune)