The early Baroque madrigal and its concomitant genres have been dominated by Italian groups in recent years. Theatricality and native vowels have brought a brooding and intemperate sensuality to the work of Concerto Italiano and La Venexiana‚ to name only two such vocal ensembles. Far from the zephiri of the Mediterranean‚ the direct and immediate­sounding Cappella Figuralis from The Netherlands help redefine the territory in this convincing programme of diverse laments‚ interspersed with cleansing instrumental interludes between the unremitting world of love and loss – as conveyed in these dynamic 17th­century narratives. Whilst Carissimi’s famous oratorio‚ Jephte‚ in its agonising tale of a father who is obliged to sacrifice the first person he encounters on his return (shades of Idomeneo and Idamante but with longer‚ everlasting shadows)‚ is the culminating gem‚ the most exceptional musical performances occur elsewhere. Jos van Veldhoven is a master of pacing a dramatic scena‚ as we have heard in his fine St Matthew Passion (Channel Classics‚ 5/98)‚ and this is exemplified in the contrasts he achieves through a taut‚ disciplined ‘chorus’ alongside the smouldering grief of the recording’s vocal star‚ Johannette Zomer. That chorus (in the Greek sense‚ as commentary) constitutes two perfectly­matched tenors in Monteverdi’s ‘Lamento della Ninfa’‚ acting as a sonorous relief to the distraught nymph who‚ predictably‚ laments her lost love. Zomer is anything but predictable in her instinctive shaping of emotive melodic contour; here‚ and in Alessandro della Ciaia’s quirky ‘Lamentatio Virgins’‚ her tonal coloration is expressive if‚ in truth‚ drawn from quite a limited palette. Nevertheless‚ she is appropriately discomforting and tenderly engaging in equal measure. My favourite work here is Domenico Mazzocchi’s exquisite ‘Lamento di David’‚ published in a retrospective collection in 1664 entitled Sacrae concertationes. Of all its merits‚ the ringing conclusion – beautifully tapered by Veldhoven – is typical of the satisfaction to be had here. Recorded sound is clear and resonant. A ringing endorsement for a distinctive achievement.