In My Heart (Nel Mio Cuore): 17th & 18th Century Italian Songs

1	Amarilli mia bella, for voice & continuo (from "Le Nuove musiche") 3:28
2	Vittoria, mio core (Amante sciolto d'amore), cantata for soprano & cont 3:13
3	Il Pompeo, opera~O cessate di piagarmi 2:38
4	L' honestŕ negli amori, opera~Giŕ il sole dal Gange 2:10
5	Il Pompeo, opera~Toglietemi la vita ancor 2:34
6	Pur dicesti, o bocco bella, song 3:39
7	Sebben crudele me fai languir's 2:55
8	Come raggio del sol, for voice & keyboard (or orchestra) 2:42
9	Per la Gloria d'Adorarvi 3:12
10	Il mio bel foco (Quella Fiamma che m'accende), for cantata for soprano, 4:03
11	Teco, Si, Vengo Anch'io 4:26
12	Nina ("Tre giorni son che Nina"), song for voice & keyboard 3:12
13	Oh Dei, che dolce incanto, aria for soprano (from "Morceaux de chants d 3:54
14	Nel Cor Piu Non Mi Sento 3:33
15	Plaisir d'amour, for voice & piano (or orchestra) 3:56
16	Caro mio ben, for voice & piano (or orchestra) 2:58

Barnes & Noble

Almost every classically trained singer has been reared on the same collection of 17th- and 18th-century Italian songs and arias, yet sadly these sweet melodies are rarely performed outside the teacher's studio and much less frequently recorded. On this disc, the Mexican-born tenor Ramón Vargas offers a selection of 16 gems, singing with gorgeous Italianate tone, graceful phrasing, smooth legato, and heartfelt emotion. The music offers a wide range of sentiment -- from ardor (Marcello's "Il mio bel foco") to longing (Caldara's "Sebben, crudele") to consolation (Vinci's "Teco, sì, vengo anch'io") to joy (Bononcini's "Per la gloria d'adorarvi"). With accompaniment provided by a small chamber ensemble (including piano rather than harpsichord), the effect is far from authentic, but Vargas's interpretations are so fervent that only purists will complain. Warmly recommended. Andrew Farach-Colton

New York Times

Mr. Vargas remains an estimable singer, and his way with this memorable music is special and worth savoring David Mermelstein

Gramophone

Ramón Vargas...has a voice of uncommon sweetness and evenness across a wide range, perfect intonation and a control of line that others must envy. He certainly knows a 101 ways of turning a phrase gracefully. Stanley Sadie