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MAGDALENA KOZENA: FRENCH ARIAS

Choeur des Musiciens du Louvre. Mahler Chamber Orchestra. Conductor: Marc Minkowski Deutsche Grammophon 474 214-2GH
****

One of the finest mezzo sopranos around, Magdalena Kozena has established herself as an intelligent and much-sought-after performer, particularly for baroque roles. In this recital Kozena does full justice to the music of her adopted country of France, her light mezzo voice allowing her to select both soprano and mezzo arias from the great days of French opera. Most of the great French operatic composers of the 19th century are represented, and the arias are an eclectic mix of the familiar and unknown. Kozena's sense of style enables her to bring them off with the insouciance that is a characteristic of the French performing tradition. www.universalclassics.com - Colman Morrissey

CD reviews compiled by Tony Clayton-Lea