Listening to this recital is an extraordinary experience. Not only is the music refreshingly rethought for countertenor and incredibly well sung by the amazing David Daniels, the overall recording is so well thought out that it surely will become a Grammy contender. But all that hoopla aside, what is contained on this single CD is Daniels' sensitive, sensual, and elegantly sung 'Les Nuits d'ete' of Berlioz, 'Cinq Melodies populaires grecques' by Ravel and Faure's 'Trois Melodies'. It is difficult to vote for the most successful of the three cycles; each has its own beauties and golden moments. Daniels' voice is so inherently Gallic in sound here that you almost forget that his forte is Handel and the bel canto repertoire! There is no hint of strain over the vast vocal range and the words are obviously important to the singer. Though Daniels is usually hailed as a 'divo', here he reassures us that his sense of programming is of the highest order. In collaboration with conductor John Nelson and the Ensemble Orchestral de Paris the song cycles are separated by instrumental pieces of the highest quality: Berlioz songs are allowed to breathe during the interval with the Pantomime from Act II of 'Les Troyens', Ravel's songs float away to the strains of his 'Pavane pour une Infante defunte', and the Faure melodies linger though his achingly beautiful 'Elegy for Cello and Orchestra". This recital is sensitive, winsome, elegant, smart, and incredibly beautiful. This is one of those CDs to take on that infamous desert island...... Scores it a 10 star rating.
