This delightful selection of lesser-known sacred vocal and instrumental pieces by Monteverdi, the Gabrielis and a number of other Venetians, was first issued some ten years ago. As might be expected from this line-up of performers, each track is characterized by a seemingly effortless command of the technicalities of the music allied to a sympathetic understanding of its style. There are many good if unfamiliar things here, from the exquisite Marini Sonata (given with great precision and elan on instruments of the period), to the two captivating duets performed by Emma Kirkby and Judith Nelson, a perfectly-matched duo who revel in Monteverdi's sensuous writing, phrasing the music carefully and bringing an easy grace to the discreetly-added improvised ornamentation. But the high points of the disc are undoubtedly Nigel Rogers's four richly-expressive accounts of solo motets, glittering showcases for his unrivalled command of the full dramatic range of the language of early baroque song and for his stylish and at times stunningly virtuosic embellishments. For these alone this sensitively-engineered reissue is to be prized.'