“Viaggio a Venezia” CD: Divox - CDX 70602

“Venice: a musical crossroads of the early 1700s” is the theme of this second recording of I Virtuosi delle Muse, issued by DIVOX. I Virtuosi delle Muse find their identity in this disc and the music is filled with their unique and unmistakable sound. The maturity of their technique and interpretation sets the stage for the Cremonese ensemble to launch itself into the international panorama as one of the reference groups for the interpretation of Italian baroque music.

For their second CD, which follows the one dedicated to Vivaldi’s opera symphonies, I Virtuosi delle Muse have chosen an anthological program that includes the works of Venetians or musicians present in Venice in the first half of the 18th century. The overall sound of these compositions performed on antique instruments is full and warm, perhaps due to the innovative choice of including a viola tenore in the organico. […] The execution is precise and clear, yet flexible and warm, suited for exalting the instrumental colours. […] The performance of Porpora is exquisite…the sonority of Handel is pleasing; the performance of Gasparini is splendid, as is the polyphonic Symphony from Marcello’s celebrated oratory with the opposing voices of the strings; the poignant Adagio is played with a finesse that seems a gleaming reflection of the light of a lagoon.

The famous ensemble “I Virtuosi delle Muse”, conducted by Stefano Molardi, performs with a generous sound. But one does not notice only the effort and determination: the dynamics are refined and with a significant range, the sound is taut and elastic, the musicians play with energy and use very precise articulation. This allows them to play fast passages with great temperament, while the slow passages are also finely interpreted. Molardi develops, through an interesting and well thought out program, clear and convincing musical ideas.

In the Venice of baroque bel canto, brief instrumental works by a young Handel, a pair of concertos by Porpora, various Symphonies and Overtures by Caldara, Gasparini and Hasse, and a Symphony and a Concerto by Albinoni mark the itinerary of this ideal voyage through Venice at the start of the 18th century, during the height of vocal bel canto, which also has a strong influence on instrumental music. In their second recording for the label DIVOX, I Virtuosi delle Muse offer brilliant and intense performances, full of contrasts.

The protagonist is an ensemble that specialises in baroque music: I Virtuosi delle Muse. The program is enticing… the interpretation is superlative and the use of a pitch of 415Hz and a Werkmeister III temperament helps to better grasp the reciprocal influences and suggestions between the Venetian, Neapolitan and Roman schools.

Venice leads the way… a voyage that is particularly well packaged, not banal but well thought out and performed impeccably by the young and integrated group I Virtuosi delle Muse, who wants its voice to be heard in the international sphere of period instrument performance.

Antonio Vivaldi: “Sinfonie d’opera” CD: Divox - CDX 70501-6

The debut recording of the I Virtuosi delle Muse, baroque orchestra founded in Cremona by Stefano Molardi and Jonathan Guyonnet in 2004, is full of expression and authority, qualities unusual for a young instrument ensemble… If on one hand the choice of a “popular” program featuring the Sinfonie d’opera of the red priest contributes to making the music even more enticing, on the other, such a choice leads to greater risk given the numerous other Vivaldi disks already available and the greater expectations of the listener. The Cremonese ensemble shows off not only great security, exhibiting a precocious interpretive maturity accompanied by a enviable knowledge of technique and expression, but does not let the listener down. The performance is winning, emotional and full of nuances. An unusual timbre can be heard in certain pieces thanks to the use of a viola d’amore… Not to be missed.

Stefano Molardi and I Virtuosi delle Muse have something to say... the sound of this performance was full as a result of the rich timber and the ductility of the Cremonese ensemble... it is worth mentioning the bravura of some of the individual components of the group, in particular the ensemble’s concertmaster and second trainer, Jonathan Guyonnet, as well as Stefano Molardi, who performed with excellent results both as conductor and harpischordist.

The Divox disc confirms the re-possession of their own musical patrimony of baroque Italian ensembles... their style, the fluidity of the rapid movements, the poetry of the slow sections are sensational.

I Virtuosi delle Muse is made up of 14 musicians… Their interpretations are impetuous, exuberant, extremely coherent between the outer and inner movements. The articulations are agile and technically impeccable and succeed in spreading the brilliance and the richness of accents characteristic of the genial Venetian composer.

I Virtuosi delle Muse and the conductor Stefano Molardi give a fresh performance, lively and energetic.

“Electrifying”... I Virtuosi delle Muse offers us this opera with an impressive interpretive force ... The fluidity in the choice of tempos and the variety in the dynamics produce an effect of throbbing intensity and offer us 62 minutes of the most radiant Vivaldi: pure pleasure.

The performances by I Virtuosi delle Muse, directed by Molardi from the harpsichord, are superb. Most notable are the ensemble’s rich but subtly graded palette of colours (to accord with Charles de Brosses’ enthusiastic observations after hearing Vivaldi and his orchestra in Venice), rhythmic vitality and atmospheric renditions of the slow movements. This last quality is enhanced by the surprising appearance of the viola d’amore among the strings, which Molardi believes often participated in 17th- and 18th- century Venetian orchestral ensembles.

Both the quality of sound and the interpretation were spectacular.

I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed their renderings of Le sinfonie. They are dramatic and well executed, if not over the top, like some Italian recordings I’ve had to suffer! The sound of the band varies from track to track, to suit the music (and, suggests the booklet, the theme of the opera with which each is associated, though I take that with a large pinch of salt). Clearly, I Virtuosi delle Muse are a group to watch, and Divox Antiqua should be justly happy to have signed them up.

I Virtuosi delle Muse, a rapidly rising Italian ensemble led by Stefano Molardi records the Opera Symphonies by Vivaldi for DIVOX. In total there are 11 pieces, written between 1713 and 1735; the performances reflect an attentive and rigorous analysis and a specific diachronic view aimed at understanding the gamut of Vivaldi’s styles.

In this Cd we find extremely rare and unknown pieces by Vivaldi; it is not this that really interests us, but the sound of I Virtuosi delle Muse. Basing their interpretations on the testimonies of Vivaldi’s contemporaries, I Virtuosi delle Muse perform the sinfonie d’opera with great liberty, refined dynamic excursions and with a new sound, due in part to the use of a viola d’amore in the organico.

Giuseppe Verdi: Transcriptions pour orgue, Stefano Molardi, Tactus TC 812002

In this disc, Stefano Molardi proposes some of the most celebrated works of Verdi transcribed for organ, and performs them impeccably, highlighting every single detail through the careful use of registers.

Giovanni Maria Trabaci: Il Primo Libro de Ricercate

La Moderna Prattica - Stefano Molardi, Tactus TC 572001
The rhythmical softness of Molardi is marvelous in this repertoire.

La Moderna Prattica - Stefano Molardi, Tactus TC 572002
Everything with exquisite naturalness... a quality that Molardi and his ensemble display with taste.

Claudio Merulo: Opera Omnia pour Orgue (Vol. 1), Stefano Molardi

Divox CDX 70309/10-6 (2 CD)
Such writing may put some in difficulty: to celebrate the music is easier than to perform it. With determination, hard work and talent Molardi does both, exalting the unique stylistic universe of Merulo.

Giovanni Valentini: Mottetti e Madrigali, La Moderna Pratica - Stefano Molardi

Christophorus CHR 77238
The two singers... are well versed in the style... They are accompanied by equally accomplished instrumental players, who understand that their role often rises far beyond mere harmonic support, thus providing some real interest in the internal parts.

Vienna, Theater an der Wien

“Farnace”: Vivaldi’s game of intrigue. The execution at the An der Wien was perfect: young and exceptional singers, together with I Virtuosi delle Muse of Cremona, with the Concertmaster Jonathan Guyonnet and the director Stefano Molardi. The arias were full of virtuoso diminutions and expressed indignation, love and noble-mindedness. The high points of the opera were the scenes of Farnace’s desperation for the presumed death of his son, Tamiri’s love arias and Berenice’s revenge. Sonia Prina interpreted the proud Farnace with her virtuoso contralto voice, Marina De Liso was Tamiri, Sabina Puértolas was General Gilade, Maria Grazia Schiavo was Berenice, Anders J. Dahlin was the arrogant Pompeo… It was worth hearing this opera by Vivaldi: an authentic whirlwind of emotions!

Rheingau Musik Festival, St. Hildegard’s Abbey

I Virtuosi delle Muse fully take their place among the ensembles of today whose interpretations are based on contrasting extremes… Suspensions are held as long as possible, accents are strong and light, more intense than can be imagined, determine situations of friction and tension whenever they appear. I Virtuosi delle Muse express the baroque spirit in an ideal manner. The violinist Jonathan Guyonnet takes many liberties with the tempos, creating, through the absence of vibrato, a consistent idea and impression. The concertos for strings in the program “Viva Venezia”, and especially the sonata La Follia, were performed with fire and intensity… I Virtuosi delle Muse, the new generation of Italians, played with a temperament that was simply wonderful.

Bilbao, Begonia basilica

Great crowds of listeners in the Begonia basilica for the Christmas concert to hear I Virtuosi delle Muse, conducted by Stefano Molardi, and the Genevan tenor Emiliano Gonzales in the role of vocal soloist. The program featured baroque Italian music with works by Corelli, Vivaldi, Galoppi, Porpora and Jommelli. The interpretation of the baroque orchestra was extremely refined (not at all an easy task) and the ensemble played with perfection and with clear aesthetic “discipline” thanks to the efforts of Molardi, who conducted with interpretive rigour and with efficient gestures. Both the concertos and the vocal pieces were excellent.

Pandino, Excellent start to the “Autumn Concert” series with I Virtuosi delle Muse

The public was treated to a series of arias from the operas by Antonio Vivaldi performed by the Hungarian mezzo-soprano Kornelia Bakos, as well as works for string orchestra by Vivaldi, excellently executed by the baroque orchestra I Virtuosi delle Muse directed by Stefano Molardi. The event offered several not often performed pieces by Vivaldi which can be described as charming, velvety and in some places, overwhelming. The public demonstrated their approval with warm applause, appreciating the warm and powerful voice of the young Hungarian mezzo-soprano, as well as the skill of the ensemble, which specializes in the performance of baroque music. It should be pointed out that I Virtuosi delle Muse employs instruments typical to the historical period and the geographical area of the music performed.

Pandino, The public enjoys the autumn concert

The violin, the piano and the voice draw applause at the autumn concert... the concert was greeted by enthusiasm by the public right from the start. The exceptional interpretation of the director Stefano Molardi and of the strings of the ensemble “I Virtuosi delle Muse” was made even finer by the splendid voice of the contralto Kornelia Bakos... three encores were performed.

Crotone, Carissimi’s Jephte

After the opening night with Uto Ughi, the second concert took place on Monday evening. The Basilica Cathedral of Crotone hosted “I Virtuosi delle Muse” directed by Stefano Molardi for an intense and emotional performance of “Jepthe” by Giacomo Carissimi...

Ferrara, In the Temple of St. Christopher – an unforgettable concert

Ferrara. Over 600 people attended an exceptional event... the concentration of the musicians and of the choir combined with that of the public to produce a profound mysticism... the orchestra I Virtuosi delle Muse directed by Stefano Molardi virtuostically expressed the essence of the opera through its use of refined and researched musical solutions and expresive dynamics...

Bibbiena, Teatro Dovizi, Luchesi’s Ademira

Electric orchestra and full of verve... The explosions of color were apparent right from the start of the overture and thus began the marvelous music... Stefano Molardi directs from the harpsichord with vehemence, and the dynamic contrasts and the sudden changes of tempo are exalted.

Valladolid, Teatro Calderón, Porpora’s Mitridate

Gratifying equilibrium... The beauty and the dynamism of the opera, the declared objective of the interpreters, find their origin in the orchestra pit in the person of Stefano Molardi at the harpischord and at the direction, reveals a palette of extremely varied colors, from more dramatic and lyrical tones, with a performance realized on period instruments from the orchestra I Virtuosi delle Muse.

Bibbiena, Teatro Dovizi, Luchesi’s Ademira

A big success for the Cremonese Stefano Molardi in the historical Davizi Theatre in Bibiena, in the province of Arezzo. At the direction of I Virtuosi delle Muse, Molardi excelled in the direction of the opera, drawing both public and critical acclaim.

Baroque is good for I Virtuosi

Molardi and his group are constantly growing... an ensemble that can now make its distinctive mark in this movement of period performance practices... I Virtuosi have demonstrated their style, which is determined – as regards to both sound and interpretation... a young ensemble but already compact and cohesive, secure of itself and the path it has chosen to follow.

Ademira, how alive it is: The opera by Luchesi draws praise in Bibbiena

The opera, which drew praise from the vivace movement of the symphony, was well executed by I Virtuosi delle Muse, an ensemble directed by Stefano Molardi.

Ademira by A. Luchesi in Bibbiena

The musicians of the ensemble I Virtuosi delle Muse successfully achieved stylistically reliable sonority thanks to the precise and secure direction from the harpsichord of Stefano Molardi...

Cremona, St. Maria Maddalena Church, Vivaldi’s Concerti per archi

Other than the quality of the sound and the overall group symbiosis, the ensemble I Virtuosi delle Muse expressed a gritty style, decisive both in the dynamics and in the rhythm.