Iestyn Davies
VIVAT105
Your tuneful voice: Handel Oratorio Arias
Iestyn Davies countertenor
Carolyn Sampson soprano
The King’s Consort
Robert King conductor
“This new release is outstanding in every way”
(The Classical Reviewer)
“A lovely selection of arias, well sequenced, effortlessly encompassed”
(CD Review, BBC Radio 3)
“A countertenor voice in its prime”
(The Daily Telegraph)
“A grace and calm entirely appropriate to these Handel arias”
(The Independent)
“Fabulous tone and exquisite craftsmanship”
(Music and Vision)
“Enthusiastically recommended”
(The Sunday Times)
VIVAT118
Elegy – Countertenor duets by Purcell & Blow
Iestyn Davies countertenor
James Hall countertenor
The King’s Consort
Robert King
2020 Gramophone Awards finalist
“Davies and Hall bring a chamber-music intensity to Blow’s sublime elegy on Purcell’s death
(The Observer)
“They duet ravishingly”
(The Sunday Times)
“What music, what musicianship, what performances! This Vivat disc leaves one spellbound and enthralled”
(Classical Music Daily)
“Sheer delight”
(Planet Hugill)
“This whole disc is a trove of bittersweet delights”
Editor’s Choice
(Gramophone)
“Incredibly ecstatic, mellifluous sounds”
(Record Review, BBC Radio 3)
VIVAT121
Purcell: Royal Odes
Carolyn Sampson soprano
Emily Owen soprano
Iestyn Davies countertenor
Hugh Cutting countertenor
Charles Daniels tenor
David de Winter tenor
Matthew Brook bass
Edward Grint bass
The King’s Consort
Robert King conductor
2021 Gramophone Awards finalist
“It’s hard to imagine these performances bettered … King has assembled another crack team of singers … The band is, if anything, even better … achingly excellent playing – the opening Symphonies alone would be worth the price of the disc. I only hope King continues again through the whole set”
Editor’s Choice (Gramophone)
“Perfectly focussed … a fine roster of singers, excellent recording”
(BBC Radio 3, Record Review)
“The ten voices … clearly revel in the sumptuous harmonies … a well-chosen and superbly crafted selection … a lavish booklet provides an added incentive to explore this excellent release”
(Opera Today)
“A ‘dream team’ … complemented by exquisitely nuanced string playing … demands to be heard by all”
(Early Music Review)
“Fantástica versión”
Melómano de oro [Gold award] (Melómano Magazine, Spain)
“One of the crowning achievements of lockdown music”
(Classical Explorer)
VIVAT122
Purcell: Birthday Odes for Queen Mary
Carolyn Sampson soprano
Emily Owen soprano
Iestyn Davies countertenor
Hugh Cutting countertenor
Charles Daniels tenor
David de Winter tenor
Matthew Brook bass
Edward Grint bass
The King’s Consort
Robert King conductor
2022 Gramophone Awards finalist
“Stylish, affectionate performances … the instrumental colours are beautifully shaded … the singing is exemplary across the board … Bring on the next volume!”
(Gramophone)
“Full of joy and vivacity … the sheer exuberance of Purcell’s writing is infectious”
(Classical Explorer)
“King’s excellent team of eight singers … stylish elegance, polish and wit … testament to King’s long performance experience and enduring love of Purcell’s music”
(Limelight, Australia)
“Meesterlijk … niet te missen”
(Stretto, Belgium)
“The casting is opulent … it feels unfair to single out any singer in particular; they’re all excellent … These are hugely entertaining and uplifting pieces. Instrumental accompaniments from The King’s Consort are lively and colourful”
(The Arts Desk)
“Carolyn Sampson creates pearls from Purcell’s ornate contours … peerless musicianship from Iestyn Davies and Hugh Cutting … Edward Grint is marvellously heroic … exquisite playing”
(Opera Today)
“Performed in vividly engaging and stylish fashion”
(Planet Hugill)