Felicity Lott (soprano), Graham Johnson (piano) Champs Hill Records CHRCD 008 ****

Felicity Lott’s recital at the National Concert Hall three years ago was not the pleasure one might have expected. Then the theme was Fallen Women and Virtuous Wives. Here, in a selection of songs associated with summer, which she recorded all of 10 years ago (now reissued with texts and translations), Lott is in altogether better and fresher form.

The journey begins with Gershwin’s

Summertime

and wends its way through names familiar and unexpected. Berlioz rubs shoulders with Arne, Barber with Bridge, Peter Warlock with Cole Porter. Elgar, Quilter, Haydn Wood and Liza Lehman put in appearances, as well as Fauré, Schuman and Brahms. The tone is light, keeping the atmosphere summery at all costs. And Graham Johnson’s piano- playing is impeccably tasteful.

See champshillrecords.co.uk