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My Lady Rich Emily Van Evera & Christopher Morrongiello Avie Records CD#: AV 0045 An outstanding collection of rare 16th-century pieces, My Lady Rich is a presentation of unusual quality and beauty, taken from pieces written for and about Penelope Rich, sister to the Earl of Essex and a major figure in the court of Queen Elizabeth I. The CD features selections written and composed by some of the luminaries of the age, including John Dowland and even Shakespeare. Considering both subject and authors, such a task is a tall order to fill, but Emily Van Evera, Christopher Morrongiello, and their accompanying musicians are up to the task, revealing and reveling in the music's subtle nuances and proving exactly why these pieces are so timeless. Rich was known as an accomplished singer in her time, performing in court masques and even playing the goddess Venus in one play at Hampton Court in 1604 (at the age of 40 and after having 10 children!). The CD follows the rise and fall of her fortunes at court, echoing her possible emotions from joy and a love affair with Lord Mountjoy, to her despair at his untimely death and the fall from grace of her brother the Earl of Essex. Her profound grief may well have inspired Shakespeare's character of Ophelia, and the adaptation of Ophelia's song "He is dead and gone, lady" found on the CD is a heartbreaking highlight. The CD also includes contemporaneous pieces she may have performed for the entertainment of court nobles and ambassadors from other lands, showing off her linguistic prowess as well as her musical aptitude. Consummately performed, Van Evera's angelic voice carries each piece to airy heights, evoking the beauty of each melody with matchless skill. Her accompaniment is no less talented, providing a sparkling glimpse into what the Elizabethan court must have been like. The extensive booklet included with the CD is an added bonus, providing valuable information regarding the music and its origins. For anyone interested in authentic 16th-century music, My Lady Rich is a revealing and rewarding look at an important, yet seldom recognized figure in its history. --Richard Mackenzie

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