“Ars Lyrica’s presentation came as close to opera
as I’ve ever seen with three sterling singers,
crisp articulation from the period string and continuo band,
and intelligent, detailed direction.”
Arts Houston
Recent recordings of Ars Lyrica performances in mp3 format. Click the icon to play or download the file.
ARMAND-LOUIS COUPERIN
Chéron from Pièces de Clavecin
Recorded in 2010 Download
JOHANN ADOLF HASSE
Duetto: Bella etade avventurosa from Marc’ Antonio e Cleopatra
Recorded in 2010 Download
J.S. BACH
Variatio 1 - Canone all' ottava from Canonic Variations on Vom Himmel hoch da komm’ ich her BWV 769 Download
G. F. HANDEL Overture to Clori, Tirsi e Fileno
Recorded in performance, Nov. 12, 2005 Download
G. F. HANDEL Duet from Clori, Tirsi e Fileno
Melissa Givens (soprano) and Sonja Bruzauskas (mezzo-soprano)
Recorded in performance, Nov. 12, 2005 Download
L. ROSSI Udite amanti
Melissa Givens, Tracy Rhodus, and Natalie Arduino (soloists)
Recorded in performance, Nov. 13, 2006 Download
L. ROSSI Piango, piango
Melissa Givens, Tracy Rhodus, and Natalie Arduino (soloists)
Recorded in performance, Nov. 13, 2006 Download
G. F. HANDEL Aria from La Resurrezione
Ava Pine (soprano)
Recorded in performance, May 13, 2007 Download
G. F. HANDEL Aria from La Resurrezione
Timothy Jones (bass-baritone)
Recorded in performance, May 13, 2007 Download
G. F. HANDEL Recitative and Chorus from La Resurrezione
Ava Pine, Melissa Givens, Sonja Bruzauskas, Randolph Lacy, and Timothy Jones (soloists)
Recorded in performance, May 13, 2007 Download
ALESSANDRO SCARLATTI Piano from Cello Sonata in C minor
Barrett Sills (Baroque cello)
Recorded Sept. 20, 2006 Download
ALESSANDRO SCARLATTI Presto and Allegro from Cello Sonata in C minor
Barrett Sills (Baroque cello)
Recorded Sept. 20, 2006 Download
ALESSANDRO SCARLATTI Giga from Toccata in A Major
Matthew Dirst (harpsichord)
Recorded Sept. 20, 2006 Download
ALESSANDRO SCARLATTI Sinfonia to La Concettione della Beata Vergine
Recorded Sept. 20, 2006 Download
Coming soon: Heart & Soul
Devotional works from
the German Baroque
for voice, strings, and organ.
With a renowned British
counter-tenor Ryland Angel,
Matthew Dirst on the Fritts organ
at St Philip Presbyterian Church,
and Ars Lyrica core players.
(Fall 2013 on the Deux Elles label)
Domenico Scarlatti: La Dirindina
The title piece, a musical farce, features Jamie Barton, Brian Shircliffe and Joseph Gaines with the Ars Lyrica ensemble, conducted by harpsichordist Matthew Dirst. Scarlatti’s cantata, Pur nel Sonno is the companion piece, featuring soprano Céline Ricci; and Dirst partners with Richard Savino on two of Scarlatti’s virtuosic sonatas for mandolin and harpsichord.
Review by David Yearsley
1 CD and 1 Blue-ray disc, $20 (handling and shipping included)
Music of François and Armand-Louis Couperin:
Matthew Dirst, harpsichord
Matthew Dirst plays some favorite character pieces of both François and Armand-Louis Couperin, including the former’s sumptuous 24th Ordre, on a French double-manual harpsichord by John Phillips (after Nicolas Dumont, 1707). Centaur Records.
“a stylish, tasteful, and technically commanding performance…expressive and brilliant playing.”
— Early Music America
1 CD, $15 (handling and shipping included)
Johann Adolf Hasse: Marc’Antonio e Cleopatra
Jamie Barton, mezzo-soprano; Ava Pine, soprano; Matthew Dirst, conductor
Nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Opera 2011. World première recording of Johann Adolf Hasse’s 1725 Italian serenata Marc’Antonio e Cleopatra on the Dorian-Sono Luminus label, with two of America’s brightest young opera stars: Jamie Barton as Marc Anthony and Ava Pine as Cleopatra. Matthew Dirst, conductor.
“Dirst leads a disciplined, well-balanced performance…fluent and poised.”
— Fanfare “a thrilling performance that glows in its quieter moments and sparkles with vitality.”
—Early Music America “exquisite.”
—American Record Guide
2 CDs, $25 (handling and shipping included)
Alessandro Scarlatti:
Euridice dall’Inferno / La Concettione della Beata Vergine
World première recording from Naxos of two of Alessandro Scarlatti’s vocal works, plus two instrumental works from the same composer. Featuring soprano Melissa Givens, countertenor Gerrod Pagenkopf, tenor Joseph Gaines, bass-baritone Timothy Jones, cellist Barrett Sills, and
harpsichordist Matthew Dirst.
“sensitive…excellent, impressive.”
— Early Music “The continuo group plays with sensitivity and Melissa Givens gives an impassioned performance of strongly characterized and eloquent music.”— Gramophone
Read the Naxos Review
Read the Gramophone Review
1 CD, $12 (handling and shipping included)
J.S. Bach:
Organ Music for the Christmas Season / Matthew Dirst, Organ
Includes chorale-based and free works by Bach for the seasons of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. Recorded on the Fisk-Nanney dual-temperament organ at Stanford Memorial Church, Stanford, California. Centaur Records.
“a well-chosen and varied program…[Dirst’s] playing is stylish…
and it is beautifully recorded.”—American Record Guide
1 CD, $12 (handling and shipping included)
Duelling Divas
Ars Lyrica’s 2007-2008 season finale consists of two grand singing contests by Bach and Handel. These artful musical duels are full of spectacular vocal and instrumental fireworks.
HANDEL: Il duello amoroso
BACH: The Dispute between Phoebus and Pan
Recorded live at Zilkha Hall, May 11, 2008
2 CDs, $17 (handling and shipping included)
Love and War
Few composers strike the heart as powerfully as Claudio Monteverdi. His arresting Madrigals of Love and War, which range from tender laments to full-throated battle cries, are complemented on this program by instrumental and vocal works of Luigi Rossi and Barbara Strozzi.
MONTEVERDI: Madrigals of Love and War
ROSSI: Selected madrigals and sonatas
STROZZI: Selected madrigals
Recorded live at Zilkha Hall, November 4, 2007
1 CD, $12 (handling and shipping included)
Mad Women
Baroque “mad women” are among the most fascinating creatures of their time. From the uncanny Bess of Bedlam to the suicidal Lucrezia, these women are unforgettable experiences, especially when portrayed by such stellar singers as Melissa Givens and Marie Lenormand.
PURCELL: Bess of Bedlam and other songs
HANDEL: Lucrezia
CLÉRAMBAULT: Médée
CORELLI: La Folia
HANDEL: Mad Scenes from Imeneo and Hercules
Recorded live at Zilkha Hall, September 7, 2007
2 CDs, $17 (handling and shipping included)
La Resurrezione
Handel’s sumptuous first oratorio, written in Rome in 1708 on the story of Jesus’ resurrection. With full Baroque orchestra and a stellar cast: Ava Pine and Melissa Givens, sopranos, Sonja Bruzauskas, mezzo soprano, Randolph Lacy, tenor, and Timothy Jones, bass-baritone.
Recorded live at Zilkha Hall, May 13, 2007
2 CDs, $17 (handling and shipping included)
Ars Lyrica Houston | 4807 San Felipe, Suite 202 | Houston, Texas 77056 | info@arslyricahouston.org | 713-622-7443