Four Stars
“The second of the six Early Music Festival programs featured only two composers: George Frideric Handel and Alessandro Scarlatti, more than sufficient to give us a sustained evening of high-quality Baroque music, both played and sung. Especially when presented by a Philadelphia group called Tempesta di Mare, which impressed more than the Rebel group of two days earlier with their precision and balance. From Scarlatti, we heard two chamber cantatas, perhaps the two evening highlights: “Bella, s’io t’amo il sai,” with Rottsolk joined by Stone, Roberts and Miller, plus “Bella dama di nome Santa,” featuring all six performers. Rottsolk showed beautiful control with a pitch-perfect “white” voice occasionally embellished with vibrato at a phrase ending. Handel was represented by a concerto, a trio sonata and a chamber cantata of his own. Roberts offered dazzling recorder work, especially on her small, high-pitched instrument. On second thought, the entire evening presented nothing but highlights.” Nuvo, Indy’s alternative voice, June 2011.