Sara Mingardo is that rare bird, the true contralto. In 2010 she won the prestigious Premio Abbiati as best Italian singer.

Here she interprets works by Respighi that date from 1869 and 1914, and as such are often underestimated by critics and audiences as pieces that anticipate Respighi’s successful creative period. The first nine pieces are very short, with lyrics by Ada Negri and Carlo Zangarini. In addition, ‘Pietà ti prenda, mio Dio’ is a transcription for voice, violin and piano from St Matthew Passion, a paraphrase of Psalm 51.

Sara Mingardo studied in her home town of Venice at the Academy Benedetto Marcello and first came to prominence by winning the Giulietta Simionato Prize at the 23rd Vienna Competition and the first prize at the Competition Toti dal Monte in 1987. Today Sara is an established figure in concert halls and opera houses, in repertoire from Vivaldi to Britten.

“Sara Mingardo is a shining exception, and the Venetian demonstrates with every performance the contralto beauties that the musical world is missing. Her voice is velvety smooth and beguilingly sensual, and she has a technique capable of tackling the most florid Baroque arias with grace.” - The Times