Monteverdi is an odd choice for mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kožená. This is true even though she recounts in the booklet how, at the age of 16, she was part of a group devoted to Baroque and Renaissance vocal music; she has talked elsewhere of how the Iron Curtain remained largely opaque to new Western trends in early music performance. The graphics of this album do not say, "Monteverdi," and in truth Kožená is a bit out of her element here. This is not to say that fans of Kožená's uniquely shiny voice won't enjoy this release, for when she is given a big tune like "Addio, Roma!" from L'incoronazione di Poppea (track eight), she hits it out of the park as usual. Sample the famous Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda (track 11), or the Lamento della ninfa (track two), where Kožená's keen dramatic sense carries the day. You'll find more brilliant ornamentation in the work of other singers, but the straightforward small-ensemble instrumental work of the La Cetra ensemble from Switzerland is well matched to Kožená's style. The chilly church acoustic doesn't showcase Kožená at her best, but this is a worthwhile addition to Kožená collections.