Abstract
CD, graced by pictures of the contralto Emma Curtis, looking rather saucy in both male and female 18th-century attire, features 52 songs from the collection, with lively and varied accompaniment realizations played by The Frolick, a seven-piece band of strings, harp, flute and percussion, directed from lute, theorbo or guitar by Andrew Maginley. Emma Curtis has a rich and operatic-sounding contralto voice, about as far from the Emma Kirkby style of 'early music' voice as you can get, but surely right for this repertory. There are treats here too numerous to mention, but I especially liked the foot-tapping On dear Zerlinda's charms I gaze, with Baroque guitar accompaniment, Handel's Dialogue between Punch and Columbine on the subject of Farinelli's arrival, and Carey's folksong-style The lady's lamentation for the loss of Senesino. We are all indebted to the artists for such recordings, which bring so much undeservedly obscure material before the musical public.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
