The Tulipa Consort, making its CD début here, is unusual in that it is an instrumental ensemble formed by a singer. Johanette Zomer tells us that, tired of having to make difficult artistic compromises with conductors, she decided to create her own hand-picked body of players to allow her “artistic freedom from the very beginning”. If that sounds like the utterances of a true diva, determined to guarantee herself top-billing and to be sure of showing her voice off to its fullest unimpeded by the artistic sensibilities of others, the evidence of this CD could not be more contrary.

Most of the time, this is a stunning Schubert recital. Together, soprano Johannette Zomer and pianofortist Arthur Schoonderwoerd have put together a program that balances songs and solos. Between sets of the two Suleika settings, the three Ellens Gesang including the "Ave Maria," the single Gretchen am Spinnrade, and the final Mignon, they have placed the very early Fantasie in D minor, a pair of reflective minuets, and the introspective Adagio in C major. Together, Zomer and Schoonderwoerd perform marvelously.

Handel, a child of his time, was fascinated by the poignant human dramas and emotions exemplified by Greek and Roman classical myths, dramas and poetry. A theatre composer to his very bones, he was remarkably skilled in the portrayal of human psychology. The oboe was an instrument especially beloved by Handel and it is the unifying element in this fascinating anthology of arias and cantatas focusing on themes of love and madness sung by soprano Johannette Zomer. Zomer is accompanied by oboist Bart Schneemann and the ensemble Musica Amphion.