Mozart Sacred Arias
(Armide)
An inflamed windpipe has caused Sandrine Piau to cancel recent performances, but her silvery soprano can be enjoyed in full flight in this DVD recital from 2003 with Christophe Rousset’s Les Talens Lyriques. The cunning selection mixes sacred Mozart with earthier arias, plus instrumental items. Piau doesn’t have a diva’s voice; she’s a vocal instrument playing with others, and Rousset’s group make ideal colleagues.
GEOFF BROWN