Leonardo García Alarcón - Monteverdi: L'Orfeo - American Record Guide

The Orpheus legend continues to loom large in our collective consciousness ... [this is] another extraordinary performance of the opera with its own perspective. Leonardo Garcia Alarcon, founder and director of Cappella Mediterranea, makes bold use of dynamics (a crescendo on the final chord of the opening `Toccata’, for example), tempo fluctuations, and dramatic pauses.  The Chamber Chorus of Namur sing with style; and the magnificent instrumental ensemble, including particularly pleasurable contributions from the lutes, brings the interludes to life with exuberance and precision.