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Il ritorno d'Ulisse' is unquestionably one of the three pillars that place Monteverdi among the greatest of opera composers; this recording marks the premiere of a new performing version by Martin Pearlman. Portuguese tenor and baroque specialist Fernando Guimaraes stars in the title role, alongside the internationally renowned mezzo-soprano Jennifer Rivera as his loving wife Penelope. 'Il ritorno d'Ulisse' was a relatively recent discovery, but following it's authentication in the 1950s and revivals in Vienna and Glyndebourne, the opera has enjoyed new found popularity. Martin Pearlman's new performing version benefits from the same attention to detail that has ensured his reputation as a leading champion of period performance. His highly considered approach to all aspects of the score and performance ensure this version is true to Monteverdi's original vision. With a libretto drawing from Homer's Odyssey, 'Il ritorno d'Ulisse' is a riveting human drama with an enviable cast including: Abigail Nims (Melanto), Daniel Auchincloss (Eumaeus), Sonja DuToit Tengblad (Juno), Ulysses Thomas (Antinous), and Marc Molomot (Irus). Founded in 1973 by Martin Pearlman, Boston Baroque is already familiar to an international audience with it's critically acclaimed catalogue of recordings. The three-time Grammy-nominated ensemble is widely regarded as 'one of the world's premier period-instruments bands' (Fanfare). Boston Baroque's recordings - of which Fanfare magazine wrote 'each one is an incomparable gem' - are heard by millions on classical radio stations in North America and Europe. Boston Baroque's many career milestones include the American premiere of Rameau's' Zoroastre'; a Mozart opera series, and the American period-instrument premieres of Mozart's 'Don Giovanni' and 'The Magic Flute'; and a revelatory exploration of the Beethoven symphonies on period instruments.