Jodie Devos - And Love Said - Presto Classical

The coloratura flourishes of Britten’s On This Island are despatched with the same verve and brilliance which made the young Belgian soprano’s debut recording of Offenbach arias such a winner in 2019, but sensuality rather than virtuosity is the order of the day on this gorgeous programme of English-language songs by French, Belgian and English composers, and Devos has it in spades. The rarities by Tailleferre and Poldowski are particular treats, and Freddie Mercury’s You Take My Breath Away makes for an unexpectedly fitting coda.