Molomot and Vinokour shine in Florentine Opera’s ‘Poppea’

“Molomot was an Arnalta who upheld Seventeenth-Century conventions but set a standard of his own in the rôle…Arnalta’s lullaby for Poppea, ‘Oblivion soave,’ is one of the most exquisite pieces in Seventeenth-Century opera, and Molomot sang it with piercing expressivity that so entranced the audience that merely breathing seemed to disturb the scene’s serenity…Cuing singers and instrumentalists with instinctual timing whilst playing the harpsichord with the technical acumen for which he is renowned, Vinikour guided performances that demonstrated mesmerizing musical and emotional continuity.”