We are indeed in a happy state when a recording of music by Barbara Strozzi is not a novelty. This remarkable composer has been well represented on recordings and each new disc makes a striking case for her being one of the shining lights of the early baroque, and not just an inhabitant of the women composer ghetto.

This new disc by Ensemble Poïésis does much to further enhance Strozzi’s reputation with a good selection of her works for solo voice and basso continuo as well as a sampling of instrumental works by Biagio Marini.

Strozzi excelled in most of the vocal genres of the period (opera being the exception) and her music displays the intimate knowledge of the voice that a singer brings to the table. After listening to this recording one is struck once again by Strozzi’s marvelous melodic talent as well as her ability to achieve great things with little gestures.

This is lean music that still manages to possess tremendous emotional power. This quality comes to life in these moving performances by soprano Christiana Presutti and the strings and harp of Ensemble Poïésis. You’ll do no better than to jump in and sample the other-worldly beauty of Presutti and company in the great lament, Sul Rodano evero. Yes, Ensemble Poïésis faces some pretty stiff competition in this music but the sheer beauty and passion present on this recording from start to finish is difficult to surpass. CRAIG ZEICHNER