Acoustically, the sound confirms we are in authentic locations, but without an audience. The violins come off well enough, but the larger instruments (one cello, one double bass) sound too far removed to have much in the way of a grounding effect, so the overall impact is a touch deflated. The players could
all do with a bit more elbow room.

Kerrigan, her voice strong for a soprano, comes from something like middle distance. The balance between her and the other performers may be struck more by virtue of their relative strengths and how far their sounds effectively have to carry. Nevertheless, Kerrigan and the ensemble do make a good-sounding team.

The selection and mix of tracks work well, with room left on the disc to have added one or two extra pieces. The minimal CD notes are informative enough to still be useful. While the hum of an audience attending a full live performance may have helped complete the ensemble’s presentation, the CD does what it sets out to do. It lets us appreciate how Virtuosi Tasmania sounds in typical concert style, and sense a distinct charm that makes future releases worth listening out for.

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