Maestrino Mozart
ATMA Classique, 2022
8/10
The luminous soprano Marie-Eve Munger brings us a project that assembles Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s rarely-heard arias composed between the ages of 10-16, where the Les Boréades de Montréal, led by Philippe Bourque, is on hand for the occasion.
“Il Sogno di Scipione, K. 126” starts the listen with very bright and expressive singing alongside the swift strings, and “La finta semplice, K. 51” follows with both animated and calm gestures, as the agile vocals complement the diverse musicianship.
Further on, “La finta semplice, K. 51” has Munger hitting some very high notes in the quick and dynamic delivery, while “Mitridate, rè di Ponto, K. 87” emits a soaring and highly technical, even dramatic appeal, in its meticulous demeanor.
Near to the end, “Ascanio in Alba, K. 111” pairs both intimacy and exploration with highly memorable results, and “Lucio Silla, K. 135” exits the listen with the profound attention to detail that Mozart employed his entire career.
These works are often powerful and tense, and Munger certainly does justice to the early pieces, which only adds to her impressive resume that has gained her global admiration for her adaptable voice.
Travels well with: Apollo Chamber Players- MoonStrike; Josh Modney- Near To Each