Reviews June - September 2007

The A-Z of Mozart Opera CD
Launch date 11 June 2007

Anna Picard, The Independent:
"Though the title sounds like a Classic FM compilation, this exquisite collection of arias and ensembles from 'Apollo et Hyacinthus' to 'Zaide' is sung by some of the most exciting young voices to emerge in recent years and played on period instruments. Ian Page, the conductor of The Classical Opera Company' is an instinctive accompanist whose awareness of the text is craftily underlined in his phrasing. The ravishing finale from 'Il re pastore' is a highlight. Rebecca Bottone and Martene Grimson's duet from 'Mitridate' is another, while Mark Stone's world-weary Don Giovanni adds a pinch of danger".

Geoff Brown, The Times:
"What a winning idea: an exact chronological run through every Mozart opera, from A (Apollo et Hyacinthus) to Z (Die Zauberflöte). A fine showcase, too, for Ian Page's Classical Opera Company. The singing team mixes familiar names and young sparks. Not everyone can shimmer like Susan Gritton or sing in 3-D like Matthew Rose, but you warm to the fresh ebullience. And the orchestra knows just how to sparkle and charm."

Metro:
"The A-Z of Mozart Opera (Sony BMG) involves 11 superb performers including soprano Susan Gritton, baritone Mark Stone and the outstanding young tenor Allan Clayton. They perform 15 numbers from Mozart's operas in order of composition. It's a fascinating device which allows the listener to chart the composer's emotional development over his career and is performed with captivating style and flair."

Andrew McGregor, BBC Radio 3:
"This is the most refreshing, surprising, and totally enjoyable Mozart recital I've heard in ages. Go and get it, please."

Robert Beale, Manchester Evening News:
"The Classical Opera Company has only been going a few years but has lighted on a unique selling point: performing Mozart operas with a period instrument orchestra.
Last year it visited the Bridgewater Hall with a Cosi Fan Tutte which gained a nomination for the M.E.N. Theatre Award for opera: in just over a week's time it presents Le Nozze Di Figaro at Buxton Festival, its third visit there.

"One of its strengths is its roster of young singers, many of them not long emerged from the London colleges. Another is that its productions are lively but straightforward and make good entertainment. This CD reveals that it has embarked on a project to perform the UK's first complete cycle of Mozart's operas, and offers one aria from each of them, chronologically from A (Apollo Et Hyacinthus) to Z (Die Zauberflöte).

"The early pieces tend to be for high voice (they were written for young Wolfgang's schoolmates to sing!) and are counterbalanced by male voice excerpts from the later ones - but in those you are spoilt for choice and selection must be almost arbitrary.
There are some very good singers here, including Rebecca Bottone, Martene Grimson, Anna Leese, Susan Gritton (she sings the incredibly beautiful 'Ruhe Sanft' from Zaide), Andrew Staples and Mark Stone - and if the purpose of the CD is to showcase the company's quality, it does that very well. Is it the best of Mozart opera? Of course not, but that isn't the point."

Rob Ainsley , HMV Choice:
"15 arias one each in chronological order from Mozart's 15 operas, which happened to begin with an A (Apollo Et Hyacinthus) and end with a Z (Die Zauberflöte). It sounds a thoroughly whimsical idea, like a chef working through an alphabet of dishes, but this is more than the sum of its parts, and gives an intriguing conspectus over the development of the great operatic composer, by featuring the lesser-known teenage works as well as the familiar 'late' masterpieces. Hear how an aria from La Finta Semplice, for instance, hints at his later 'Soave Sia Il Vento'. The COC's range of artists, supported by fine authentic-instrument playing, perform impressively throughout.
Arias are chosen for balance and illustration, so this is not a 'greatest hits' or 'one-stop Mozart' album. It is however, a fascinating idea, superbly and revealingly carried out, and will appeal to anyone who appreciates Mozart's opera. Which is most of us."