Re-released 2008 Analekta
Shannon’s highly acclaimed debut release on ANALEKTA with the Masques ensemble under the direction of Olivier Fortin features English baroque composers Henry Purcell, John Jenkins and Thomas Campion.
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Artists
Shannon Mercer, soprano
Olivier Fortin, conductor
Masques ensemble
Track listing
1. Nymphs and Shepherds (Henry Purcell) 2:05
Fantasia-suite in D major for 2 violins, 2 violas da gamba and continuo (John Jenkins)
2. I. Fantasia 3:40
3. II. Almain 2:13
4. III. Corant 1:20
5. Come away (Thomas Campion) 1:58
Trio sonata No.6 in C major for 2 violins and continuo, Z.795 (Henry Purcell)
6. I. Sonnata 2:22
7. II. Canzona 1:43
8. III. Largo 2 3:00
9. IV. Allegro 0:36
10. Her Rosie Cheeks (Thomas Campion) 2:32
Fantasia-suite in A minor for 2 violins, 2 violas da gamba and continuo (John Jenkins)
11. I. Fantasia 3:56
12. II. Almain 2:07
13. III. Corant 2:00
14. Music for a While (Henry Purcell) 4:07
Trio sonata No.5 in A minor for 2 violins and continuo, Z.794 (Henry Purcell)
15. I. Sonnata 0:42
16. II. Adagio 1:35
17. III. Largo 1:24
18. IV. Grave – Canzona – Adagio 1:47
19. Give Beauty all her Right (Thomas Campion) 3:34
Fantasia-suite in G minor for 2 violins, 2 violas da gamba and continuo (John Jenkins)
20. I. Fantasia 3:51
21. II. Almain 2:34
22. III. Corant 2:15
23. O Deare that I with thee might live (Thomas Campion) 2:03
24. Sweet exclude Me not (Thomas Campion) 3:17
25. When I am laid in Earth from Dido and Æneas (Henry Purcell) 3:23
26. The Peaceful Western Wind (Thomas Campion) 4:02
TOTAL: 61:46
Reviews
“Shannon Mercer sings this aria and the disc’s other fare with chameleon-like gifts. Her soprano is bright and agile, and she uses vibrato and ornamentation vividly to extract telling nuances from words and music. Mercer brings equal expressive vibrancy to the amorous, hedonistic and sorrowful feelings in these delectable pieces.” (Gramophone, December 2005)
“Soprano Shannon Mercer is splendid icing on a very lovely and tasty cake. [Campion] is represented here by a number of his songs, elegantly and artfully delivered by soprano Shannon Mercer, whose clear and unaffected singing is a delight to the ear. The longer instrumental works are nicely interspersed by brief but lovely songs performed to perfection by Ms. Mercer, making for an interesting variety of timbres and moods, and capturing the interest of the listener throughout the entire concert.” (MusicWeb, March 2005)
“La soliste invitée Shannon Mercer (soprano) vient s’ajouter avec sensibilité et justesse dans des airs de Purcell (Nymphs and Shepherds, Music for a While et le lamento ” When I am laid in Earth ” extrait de Dido and Aeneas) et de Campion (entre autres Come Away, Give Beauty all her Right et The Peaceful Western Wind).” (Scena Musicale, mars 2005)
“Restraint has real appeal in early English repertoire and the pure, “Anglo” manner of soprano Shannon Mercer suits this music. The Ottawa native sings Purcell’s “Music for Awhile” and “Dido’s Lament” with a less-is-more approach and at ideally stately tempos. For the simpler Campion airs, Mercer manages an especially compelling match of style and sentiment.” (Newark Star-Ledger, 28 December 2004)
“La rafraîchissante soprano Shannon Mercer, à la diction impeccable, interprète quelques Ayres de brillante façon, autant dans l’emportée Come Away de Campion que dans le lamento When I am Laid in Earth du Dido and Aeneas de Purcell.” (La Presse, 18 décembre 2004)
“From the first measures, the rich and ample voice of Shannon Mercer pinned me to my chair.” (Ultra High Fidelity Magazine)
“On this program, I especially enjoy Shannon Mercer’s voice.” (American Record Guide, March/April 2005)