Philippe Jaroussky: Stabat Mater & Motets to the Virgin Mary;

French superstarcounter tenor Philippe Jaroussky presents a rich selection of motets dedicated to the Virgin Mary, composed in the lat 16th century-early 17th century by Italian composers (one Spanish, Diego Ortiz, but based in Naples). Although the majority of these composers were very famous at their time, their works are today quite unknown, and very rarely, if ever, recorded. As with "Un Concert pour Mazarin", Philippe Jaroussky explores a very specific repertoire of Italian motets in this album which belongs to the period between the Renaissance era and prior to the Baroque period. Most of these motets are for solo counter tenor voice, with a small ensemble accompaniment (here, his own ensemble with which he recorded Vivaldi's Cantatas), however he sings two motets with Marie-Nicole Lemiux, the Canadian contralto, whose name is gaining international recognition. Three pieces are instrumental, and performed by soloists of the ensemble.