‘An enticing snapshot of [Monte's] musical personality. Detailed word-painting and an imaginatively dramatic response to his texts' changing moods are displayed in pieces such as Ad te levavi and Miserere mei’ (The Daily Telegraph)

‘An impassioned and beautiful performance by Cinquecento … the exceptional blend of voices and unified approach to phrasing augur well for their future as great interpreters of Renaissance music … a marvellous affinity for Monte … they have no need of a conductor to achieve lovely long phrases full of warmth and life … the individual voices are all lovely, and the countertenors float above the texture without dominating it’ (Early Music Review)

‘An unusually gifted ensemble, both vocally and musically … here is a group whose tone, vocal flexibility, collective and individual musicianship and commitment to their chosen repertoire places them at the very forefront of modern-day specialists in the performance of Renaissance vocal music … a disc which is not only a real treat to the ears but a most valuable and worthwhile exposé of little-known repertoire … unfailingly compelling and absorbing performances … it is the Mass which, at 25 minutes, dominates the disc and shows most obviously the many strengths of this outstanding vocal ensemble … at the start of the Kyrie, for example, we have a layered texture the subtle balance of which, while seeming entirely natural, must have taken a great deal of effort to achieve. As it unfolds there is the impression of clouds parting to reveal a vast landscape as viewed from a mountain top, a sense of spaciousness and a grandeur which is profoundly moving. This is a veritable jewel of a disc’ (International Record Review)

‘Enchantingly beautiful’ (Hi-Fi News)

‘These are not easy pieces, but the opening ballet swings along with panache, and there is some excellent tenor solo singing in the first section … the two sopranos in the duet Ohimè, dov'è il mio ben show poise and taste’ (BBC Music Magazine)» More

‘If you don't already own this joyous disc … add it to your collection without delay. It will repay the outlay a hundred times’ (Goldberg)

‘Emma Kirkby is at her bewitching best’ (Amazon.co.uk)

‘Wonderful. Performed with the vigour, intelligence and sense of sheer enjoyment of the music that one would expect from this group of artists’ (International Record Review)

‘There are few records of Monteverdi's solo vocal music as persuasive as this … superb’ (The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs)

‘One of the most beautiful records I have heard this year’ (The Guardian)

‘Music of exhilarating inspiration, superbly performed. A recording as near as may be to the ideal … a very remarkable recording indeed. For audiophile and music-lovers, this is essential’ (Hi-Fi News)

‘A highly successful opening instalment’ (Goldberg)