Cecilia Bartoli
The Pontifical Choir of the Sistine Chapel interprets both Gregorian chants and polyphonic works during Advent and Christmas, dedicating itself to a profound musical contemplation of the birth of Christ. The new recording on Deutsche Grammophon includes previously unreleased works by renowned composers such as Palestrina, Nanino, and Allegri. The unique acoustics of the Sistine Chapel lend the voices a delicate and transparent sound. For the first time in its history, the choir invited the renowned mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli to record the medieval work "Beata viscera" by Perotin. In this intense musical exchange between Bartoli and the boys' and men's voices, her impressive expressiveness unfolds. The album takes listeners on an extraordinary musical journey through the Christmas season, characterized by contemplative depth, powerful expressiveness, and spiritual intensity, consciously avoiding romantic timbres. The harmonious and balanced soundscape lends the recording a special serenity.