Beyond (Hol)

"We are going to take you on a journey which will really fly you off to some new places, beyond the places you know," says countertenor Jakub Józef Orlinski. Recorded with the players of Il Pomo d'Oro, Beyond comprises vocal and instrumental music - most of it Italian - from the 17th century, the earlier phase of the baroque era. Among the 18 composers are both famiiar names - Monteverdi, Cavalli, Caccini, Frescobaldi and Strozzi - and lesser-known figures such as Netti, Saracini, Kapsberger and Jarzebski. The programme includes items from operas, cantatas and serenades, and nine of the featured vocal numbers are receiving their world premiere recording. Orlinski's declared intent is "to show people that this music is beyond it's times. It is still relevant, it is still alive, vibrant, touching, engaging and entertaining..." When his album Facce d'amore was released, Opera magazine praised it as "a wide-ranging and well-chosen collection," which revealed Orlinski as "an exceptional talent... with a ravishing voice... [who] achieves spine-tingling intensity and passion." How much further will he go with Beyond?