Soledad CARDOSO

Laureate of the Jardin des Voix, 1st edition (2002)

"Being selected for the first “Jardin des Voix” was a dream come true. The first big tour of my career, together with an emblematic group and with the great William Christie leading the entire project.
Highest emotion every training day while working on the music with him, and delving –guided by his expert hand– into the nooks and crannies of Monteverdi, Handel, Purcell, Rameau, Telemann and so many others: a repertoire –until then– practically unknown to me. A huge discovery, almost a revelation that marked my career making me focus on the music of the 17th and 18th centuries.
Each one of the concerts was absolute enjoyment and total involvement; it was savoring each note and each sound feeling the emotion on the skin; it was being part of a whole superior to individualities, teaming up and experiencing a kind of indescribable spiritual communion. Plenitude, commitment with the audience, artistic honesty, sense of transcendence, satisfaction for a job well done.
I still remember with affection and admiration some moments starred by my colleagues Céline Ricci and Jeffrey Thompson singing excerpts from Les Indes Galantes. "Piel de gallina", as we say in Spanish, every time Jeff gave us his "Sur ces bords une âme enflammée". And I also remember myself on the verge of tears every time it was my turn to say goodbye to the world by singing the torn solo of Ballo delle Ingrate...
All my gratitude to maestro Christie, my colleagues and the entire team involved in "Le Jardin des Voix", for making this unforgettable experience, without a doubt, the one that made me grow the most as an artist."
Soledad Cardoso (2021)