Press reviews of the concert “Bewitched Love” with Magdalena Kožená from 16.7.2023
Revista de música clásica
José Manuel Ruiz Martínez, 19.7.2023
Musically, Magdalena Kožená showed her beautiful mezzo-soprano timbre, full of overtones, with a very secure height and a breathtaking depth, very delicate pianissimi and forti underlining an impressive vocal power. For its part, the La Cetra ensemble was equally expressive and impeccable in a well-rounded concert. From the very first aria, they showed fine intonation, balance and an exceptional ability for nuance in their dialogue with the arias, with much complicity between them, glances, gestures that showed their joy in performing the works. Very good also in the orchestral parts: impressive in his virtuosity the concertmaster Germán Echeverri in the Variations on the Follia, and also the two oboists Prisca Complioi and Bettina Simon in the Veracini Overture (as examples of a virtuoso ensemble). One of the most beautiful and rounded concerts of recent times at the Festival.
El Mundo
BENJAMÍN G. ROSADO, 18.7.23
Magdalena Kozená, la Ella Fitzgerald del barroco
True to the baroque tradition, most of the musicians played various concerti grossi of the Italian baroque as interludes to the arias while standing: La Folia, which Geminiani reworked from Corelli’s Opus 5 (with concertmaster Germán Echeverri shining especially in the very difficult parts), the Andante larghetto from Marcello’s Concerto grosso “La Cetra” and Overture VI in G minor by Veracini (with a masterful oboe duel by Priska Comploi and Bettina Simon). Marcon, always a stickler for craftsmanship and without a baton, shone with changes of rhythm, transparent textures and his natural penchant for rubato.
“Working with Andrea is always an enriching experience,” the mezzo-soprano confessed a few days before the concert. “He is a specialist for voices and instruments, but he always leaves a lot of room for fantasy and improvisation. Because only those who know the rules well can afford to break them.”
El Correo de Andalucía
JUAN JOSÉ ROLDÁN, 18 JUL 2023
She was accompanied by the renowned ensemble La Cetra Barockorchester Basel under the precise and sonorous direction of Andrea Marcon, who is also principal conductor of the Orquesta de Granada.
The ensemble’s accompaniment was precise at all times, without affectation or pronounced accents, always with a tender and loving side that could also be heard in the concert pieces between the arias. The Overture from Alcina sounded majestic, Geminiani’s Concerto grosso from Corelli’s Sonata on the Follia offered rapport and a certain exuberance, while the Andante from Marcello’s Concerto No. 3 brought elegance, and Overture VI by Francesco Maria Veracini allowed the virtues of two great oboists, Priska Comploi and Bettina Simon, to be appreciated.