Il ritorno d’Ulisse is unquestionably one of the three pillars that place Monteverdi among the greatest of opera composers. This recording marks the premiere of a new performing version by Martin Pearlman.

Portuguese tenor and baroque specialist Fernando Guimarães stars in the title role, alongside the internationally renowned mezzo-soprano Jennifer Rivera as his loving wife Penelope.

Il ritorno d’Ulisse was a relatively recent discovery, but following its authentication in the 1950s and revivals in Vienna and Glyndebourne, the opera has enjoyed new found popularity.

Martin Pearlman’s new performing version benefits from the same attention to detail that has ensured his reputation as a leading champion of period performance. His highly considered approach to all aspects of the score and performance ensure this version is true to Monteverdi’s original vision.

With a libretto drawing from Homer’s Odyssey, Il ritorno d’Ulisse is a riveting human drama with an enviable cast tha includes Abigail Nims (Melanto), Daniel Auchincloss (Eumaeus), Sonja DuToit Tengblad (Juno), Ulysses Thomas (Antinous) and Marc Molomot (Irus).

Founded in 1973 by Martin Pearlman, Boston Baroque is already familiar to an international audience with its critically acclaimed catalogue of recordings. The three-time Grammy-nominated ensemble is widely regarded as ’one of the world’s premier period instrument bands’ (Fanfare).

Boston Baroque's recordings - of which Fanfare magazine wrote ’each one is an incomparable gem’ - are heard by millions on classical radio stations in North America and Europe.