CCMusic.com

Something special happens when she starts to sing - something that sets off a thrill..." wrote Opera News of Vivica Genaux. This collection of three recitals showcases the virtuosity, elegance and expressivity of the Alaska-born mezzo-soprano in repertoire that has proved central to her career: Vivaldi, Handel, Rossini and Donizetti and - a composer she has championed - Johann Adolph Hasse. The recitals in this box were recorded in 2003 (Rossini/Donizetti), 2006 (Handel/Hasse) and 2009 (Vivaldi: Pyrotechnics). It was in Rossini that Vivica Genaux first made her name, particularly as Rosina in Il barbiere de Siviglia. Writing about this Rossini arias album, Time Out New York hailed Genaux "the most exciting singer in the world. Sinewy but lithe, her voice encompasses a wine-rich chest register, juiced up with just enough testosterone to keep things interesting, as well as luminous high notes that would do many a soprano proud." The first Baroque role that Vivica Genaux sung was in Handel's Ariodante, but she went on to make a particular specialty of the music of Hasse. Reviewing this album, Gramophone wrote: "Three well-crafted arias from Hasse's Arminio are ideal fare for Genaux's pinpoint accuracy and florid ornamentation." Of the album 'Pyrotechnics', Vivaldi expert Frédéric Delamea wrote: "The dazzling arias in this program - some of which have never been recorded or, indeed, performed in concert - illustrate the different phases and forms of Vivaldian pyrotechnics, exploring every emotion and the most diverse dramatic situations, and continually varying instrumentation, tonality and tempo.