"The six young singers of the Academy of Le Jardin des Voix, selected from several hundred candidates, offer us a musical journey through some of the finest pieces in the Italian repertory, from a Banchieri madrigal to Haydn’s Orlando paladino. Thanks to an outstanding training programme and the musical values transmitted by William Christie and Paul Agnew, here is a chance to discover both some splendid vocal gems and a group of new performers who honour them with talent, grace and humour. Sheer delight!"

14/03/2018

"The six young singers perform a hugely carried and imaginatively-programmed set of Italian madrigals…Les Arts Florissants under William Christie are on fine form, with all their unmistakable trademarks of tempo fluctuation, resonant depth of tone, and ability to switch affect in a heartbeat."

"This concert was recorded live at the Melbourne Recital Centre in Australia within the framework of Le Jardin des Voix: the Academy launched by Les Arts Florissants in 2002 as a showcase for young talent.

William Christie and Paul Agnew, the co-directors of the Academy, are well known as fine teachers and indefatigable talent-spotters. Here they present six promising young singers, hitherto unknown to the general public, who were auditioned and recruited from almost 200 candidates.

Love, hatred, jealousy, disenchantment and wrath are expressed by turns in 'Orlando furioso', probably the most influential text of that period. De Wert's madrigal 'Queste non son più lagrime' borrows lines from Ariosto's masterpiece, while Handel's Orlando and Vivaldi's Orlando furioso, excerpts from which are presented here, both take inspiration from it. If the first part of our recording describes the expressive powers of early Baroque, the second part is a light."

"La vallisoleta Lucía Martín-Cartón, de voz fresca y juvenil, muy expresiva, se desempeña con excelencia en la siempre conmovedora Lascia la spina, augurando una gran carrera."

Javier Sarría Pueyo

07/09/2015

Dans les Jardins de William Christie, Thiré, France

"Enfin, petit coup de coeur avec la soprano Lucía Martín-Cartón, dont la voix pure, claire, directe, sans sophistications inutiles dans l’ornementation, a illuminé les airs comme «Lascia la spina…» de Handel ou encore «Che sia della beltà» de Stradella."

Marie-Aude La Batide-Alanore

23/04/2015

Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center,  New York

"Lucía Martín Cartón, a Spanish soprano, sang Handel’s aria “Lascia la spina” meltingly..."

James R. Oestreich

16/03/2015

Perth International Arts Festival, Australia

"Apart from excellent ensemble singing, both a capella and accompanied, there were many solo highlights. To single some out: soprano Lucía Martín-Cartón’s rendition of Handel’s “Lascia laspina” (from Il trionfo del tempo e del disinganno) was exquisite, with excellent coloratura and dramatic intensity."

Sandra Bowdler

14/03/2015

Sydney Opera House, Australia

"Soprano Lucía Martin-Carton replies with a soothing “Lascia la spina” (“Leave the thorn”) from Handel’s first oratorio, ‘The Triumph of Time and Disillusionment’. The melody is better known as “Lascia ch’io pianga” (“Let me weep”) from ‘Rinaldo’. In this guise it is given a detailed performanceof restrained beauty which captivates the audience."

Paul Nolan

13/03/2015

Sydney Opera House, Australia

"The contrast to Handel’s gorgeous “Lascia la spina” (reused by the composer for ‘Lascia ch’io pianga’ in Rinaldo) couldn’t have been greater. This last-named aria was sung by the silvery-toned soprano Lucía Martin-Carton, who added a few chaste ornaments in the repeat."

David Larkin

12/03/2015

Sydney Opera House, Australia

"Soprano Lucia Martin-Carton had a voice full of colour in arias from Stradella's piece but impressed most in the quiet poise of Handel's "Lascia la spina"..."

Peter McCallum

12/03/2015

Melbourne Recital Centre, Australia

"It was a masterstroke of programming to follow it with the more familiar, and gentle, Handel aria: “Lascia la spina”, (a chance for Spanish soprano Lucia Martin-Carton to shine)."

Suzanne Yanko

09/03/2015

Melbourne Recital Centre, Australia

"Lucia Martin-Carton's soprano revealed a subtle sensitivity..."

Clive O’Connell

08/03/2015

Perth International Arts Festival, Australia

"Spanish soprano Lucía Martín-Cartón and Italian Renato Dolcini were the stand-out performers."

Sarah Smith

03/03/2015

Hong Kong Arts Festival

"Soprano Lucia Martin-Carton was another highlight, with her polished, sweet and glowing voice. Her solos gripped the audience with impromptu-seeming ornaments. She also is an actress who can command the stage with the grace of a dancer."

Alexis Alrich