THE SONGBIRD: Eccentric, at times exquisite French coloratura soprano Patricia Petibon burst onto the classical musical scene in the mid-1990s, fresh out of school as the first prize winner at the Paris Conservatoire. She studied there with Rachel Yakar and Anne-Marie Rodde. Born in 1970, she began as a baroque specialist on William Christie's bench of sopranos, but soon branched out into many genres of operatic, concert, and recital repertoire in live performances at leading venues and many commercial recordings.

THE MUSIC: Antonio Vivaldi was a prolific composer. His vast body of work included many vocal pieces: operas, cantatas, and motets. The dramatic "In furore iustissimae irae" motet is designated in his catalogue as RV 626 and was composed in Rome in 1723-24. It follows the standard structure of aria-recit-aria, closing with a final virtuosic Alleluia. The opening aria's compelling and distinctive allegro, which Petibon ornaments extensively, provides a rich contrast to the second aria's elegant and melodic adagio.

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