EarlyMusicNews.Org

“Conducted by Joël Suhubiette for over 15 years, the Ensemble Jacques Moderne inherited his name from a XVIth century music publisher & composer from Lyon. The Ensemble Jacques Moderne is hence highly interested in defending early music interpretation. It explores a wide range of the vocal repertoire, both sacred and profane, from the Renaissance to the beginnings of the Baroque.

While interpreting major works from the Baroque repertoire and especially the numerous works from Johann Sebastian Bach (Mass in B minor, St John Passion, Motets, Cantatas…) but also those from the prestigious predecessors of the Leipzig Kantor (Geistliche Chormusik and Musikalische Exequien by Schütz, Israelsbrünnlein by Schein and Buxtehude’s Cantatas), the Ensemble Jacques Moderne is not neglecting the rich heritage from the French and European Renaissance.

The enthusiasm from the artists, the public and the press, as well as its large discography confirm that the Ensemble Jacques Moderne has found an appropriate tone both for the Renaissance polyphony (Mouton, Guerrero, Victoria, Morales, Lejeune...) and the Baroque repertoire (Bassano, Gagliano, Carissimi, Buxtehude, Bach, Purcell...). Its tone, its purity and tune, unanimously praised by the media have enabled the Ensemble Jacques Moderne to find a special place within the French choir landscape.

The specificities of some programs have led the Ensemble to expand to an «oratorio» set-up. The Ensemble Jacques Moderne has just completed a tour of the famous King Arthur by Purcell in several key concert halls in France. In a similar approach, together with the Choeur de Chambre Les éléments, the Ensemble has performed the Vespro della Beata Vergine by Monteverdi and the full Motets by Bach in several French and European festivals. Those performances have enabled the Ensemble Jacques Moderne to interpret a large repertoire and, more than ever, to justify its «variable» form.“

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Added on: May 06, 2011 | Hits: 414

“Peter Dijkstra, born in the Netherlands in 1978, is one of the leading choral conductors of our time. He comes from a musical family and as a boy soprano he was invited for many solo performances, for example in opera productions like Die Zauberflöte at The Netherlands Opera Foundation in Amsterdam. He studied choral conducting, orchestral conducting and voice at the conservatories of The Hague, Köln and Stockholm, and graduated summa cum laude with decoration.

In 2002 he was awarded the Kersjes-van de Groenekamprize for orchestral conductors and the winning of the first prize at the Eric Ericson Competition 2003 in Stockholm launched his international career. Dijkstra works on a regular basis with choirs such as the Netherlands Chamber Choir, BBC singers, RIAS Chamberchoir Berlin, Collegium Vocale Gent and the Danish Radio Choir. There he displays a control of a broad repertoire, from early music to premiers of newly composed works. But he is also an appreciated guest with orchestras like the Symphony Orchestra of the Bavarian Radio, Munich Radio Orchestra, DSO Berlin, Sinfonietta Amsterdam, Munich Chamber Orchestra, Arnhem Philharmonic Orchestra and the Japan Philharmonic. He also enjoys working with orchestras on period instruments, such as the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin and Concerto Köln. 

In the Netherlands, Peter Dijkstra is principal guest conductor of the Netherlands Chamberchoir and artistic leader of vocal ensemble MUSA (www.musa.nu), a mixed choir based in Utrecht. And having been artistic leader of vocal ensemble The Gents for 7 years (www.thegents.nl), he is now their first guest conductor. …”

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Added on: Nov 24, 2011 | Hits: 410

"Altus Vocare is a project that initially started as an Early Music chamber ensemble. It underwent some drastic changes early on and transitioned into a strong a capella trio. The trio had almost immediate success. The trio went on hiatus while individual members worked on solo projects.

The trio has now reformed Altus Vocare and it is back in rehearsal. The trio performs public and private concerts is now available for hire for your private or corporate event. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 25, 2008 | Hits: 409

“The Egidius Quartet was founded in 1995 by four members of Ton Koopman's Amsterdam Baroque Choir. From the outset the objective was clear: the singing of Renaissance and contemporary music from the Low Countries (in the widest sense). The quartet is named Egidius, a singer in one of the most famous poems from the Middle Dutch Manuscript Gruythuyse known. ..” (Google translate)

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Added on: Apr 25, 2010 | Hits: 409

"Grayson is a soloist and member of various ensembles, holding degrees in vocal performance, 19th Century English Literature, Painting and Printmaking. Having studied at many institutions including Indiana University, University of Montevallo, International Baroque Institute at Longy and the Vancouver Early Music Programme at the School of Music, University of British Columbia, this brilliant musician has brought her skill and expertise in her performances to audiences in the United States and Canada. Plans are currently in progress to expand to venues in Scotland in the next year.

Although extremely versatile, Grayson specialises in the German repertoire of the Romantic and Early Music periods. Grayson's tone is lovely, deep, resonant, and round, with a very low range that extends up 3 octaves. The warmth and timbre of Grayson's voice is extremely well suited for instrumental chamber music with solo voice, cantatas, oratorios, and one-on-a-part vocal ensembles. Grayson has regularly performed Bach and various other cantatas and oratorios as a soloist. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 25, 2008 | Hits: 407

“Hailed as 'young, interesting, and someone to watch out for' by L’'Opera Magazine, Cenk Karaferya continues to thrill his audience with impeccable vocal quality and astonishing range.

In concert Cenk has appeared in Southbank Centre Purcell Room with Steven Devine and Broschi Ensemble, Centro Cultural de Belém Lisbon with Massimo Mazzeo and Divino Sospiro, London Handel Festival and Tudeley Music Festival with Stefano Molardi and I Virtuosi Delle Muse, St John’s Smith Square with Bridget Cunningham and Broschi Ensemble, London Handel Festival with Fleuri and Broschi Ensemble, Greenwich Festival of Early Music with Phillip Thorby and Trinity Baroque Orchestra, and further appearances in Istanbul Baroque Festival with Istanbul Barok and Albert Long Hall with Raina Popova. ….“

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Added on: Sep 07, 2011 | Hits: 403

“Agnethe Christensen, originally from Sweden, studied at the Royal Danish Conservatory and specialized in renaissance and medieval singing with Andrea von Ramm in Basel and furthermore in Rome and Paris. Well known for her unconventional interpretations of modern and classical works, folk and early vocal music. Agnethe has worked with modern composers Luca Lombardi, Palle Mikkelborg, Wolfgang Rihm, Luciano Berio and John Cage, with opera, folk and film music.

Agnethe's expertise is within the field of early music and historically informed folk music  and together with ULV where she performs medieval Nordic ballads and sacred music with singer Lena Susanne Norin and fiddle player Elizabeth Gaver, she presents Swedish traditional music in a historic perspective.

Home in Copenhagen she works together with the the medieval ensemble Alba and together with the Welsh harper Helen Davies with traditional music from Shetland, Orkney and the Hebridees searching the old norse influence and reconstructing the old poetry of the past. In the project Music of the Mysteries she collaborates with musicians from both the classical and  world music scene.”

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Added on: Feb 23, 2012 | Hits: 402

“Born on St. Cecilia's Day, Countertenor
RYLAND ANGEL was a chorister at Bristol Cathedral and a lay-clerk at Chester Cathedral.

He trained as a lawyer before deciding to pursue a professional career as a singer in 1991 when he started studying with David Mason.

Since then, Mr. Angel has received a Grammy nomination and has performed with William Christie, Rene Jacobs, Ivor Bolton, Roy Goodman, Christophe Rousset, Philippe Herreweghe, Christophe Coin, Gabriel Garrido, Cantus Köln, Le Concert Spirituel, Le Parlement de Musique, the Ensemble of Early Music of New York and Ensemble La Fenice. …”

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Added on: Mar 01, 2012 | Hits: 398

"One of the world's leading countertenors for nearly 30 years; James Bowman's career spans Opera, Oratorio, Contemporary music and Solo recitals. He was born in Oxford on 6 November 1941 and began singing as a boy chorister at Ely Cathedral. He later went to New College, Oxford. He was a member of the New College and Christ Church choirs. ...

In May 1996 James Bowman received the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Music from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne.James is also President of the Holst Singers.He was made a CBE in the Queen's birthday honours list in June 1997. In November 1998 James was made an Honorary Fellow of New College Oxford. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 08, 2008 | Hits: 395

“Cambridge Handel Opera was founded by Andrew Jones in 1985 with the intention of presenting fully-staged productions of Handel's operas in English, and performed in a style that respects the composer's intentions and expectations in both the musical and the visual aspects of the production.

Our productions take place every two years in the West Road Concert Hall in Cambridge. We attract large and appreciative audiences both from the local region and from further afield: from all parts of the UK and even from abroad.

Whether you are a lover of Handel's music, or of opera in general, or a singer, or someone with an interest in opera production, we hope that you will find what you are looking for here. …“

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Added on: Oct 11, 2011 | Hits: 386

“The Suspicious Cheese Lords was founded by Clifton "Skip" West in 1996. Skip had the typical American dream of wanting to sing Thomas Tallis' Lamentations of the Prophet Jeremiah. To accomplish this goal, he enticed a core group of five amateur singers, friends who were current and former members of the Cathedral Choral Society, by promising a home-cooked dinner to those who would come and bellow.

Since then, the Cheese Lords have consisted of between 10 and 15 members. They still gather in Skip's dining room once a week to sing, drink, talk, eat, drink, sing, and did we say drink? In spite of this—or perhaps because of it—this male a cappella ensemble has been able to prepare and perform high-quality and heart-felt music throughout the Washington, D.C. area. …”

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Added on: Sep 26, 2011 | Hits: 384

“Formed in 2009 by co-artistic directors John Brough and Jolaine Kerley, the Scona Chamber Singers are a professional vocal ensemble, based in Edmonton Alberta, who specialize in the music of the medieval, renaissance and baroque eras.  In their short existence, they have presented programs of rarely performed composers from these eras, including Christopher Tye, William Mundy, Orlando di Lasso, and Heinrich Schütz. 

Added on: Mar 28, 2012 | Hits: 384

“After having been a student in mathematics at the Leiden University, Nico van der Meel decided to become a professional musician. He initially studied choral conducting at the Rotterdam Conservatory, but from 1982 he studied singing with professor Margreet Honig. He concluded his studies cum laude in 1987, after which he took part in masterclasses with Evelyn Lear, Ruud van der Meer, Robert Holl, Elly Ameling and Elisabeth Schwarzkopf amongst others. In the past few years he has been invited as a teacher to several summercourses, like the "La Caixa" Curso Internacional de Música. ..

Nico van der Meel is a member of the ensemble Camerata Trajectina, which is recognized as a major advocate for Dutch music of the 16th and 17th century. With this ensemble he made more than fifteen CD's. Nico van der Meel is also the leader of the William Byrd Vocal Ensemble, a choir that is mainly occupied with a capella music from the middle ages until the 21th century. Furthermore he coaches ensembles and led projects with various groups.

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Added on: May 03, 2010 | Hits: 383

“ARS NOVA Copenhagen is widely recognized as one of the finest vocal groups in Europe. Founded in 1979, the ensemble today is busier than ever. In addition to its annual season of concerts in Copenhagen and throughout Denmark, the ensemble regularly appears across Europe, in North and South America, and Asia. Ars Nova is also building collaborations with creative artists in different fields such as drama, film and ballet, as well as cultivating new modes of concert performance and innovative repertoire.

At the heart of ARS NOVA Copenhagen’s work is its equal dedication to early music and new music. Some programs explore the cross-currents between the two, while others form detailed portraits of individual composers or genres within a given period.

Each season, the group has a composer in residence: Toivo Tulev (Estonia) in 2007-8, Bernd Franke (Germany) 2008-9, Sunleif Rasmussen (Faroe Islands) 2009-10, Áskell Másson (Iceland) 2010-11 and Steve Martland (UK) in 2011-12.

The group has its own record label, ARS NOVA Records (distributed by Naxos) on which ‘Taverner & Tudor Music II - Gloria tibi Trinitas Mass’ is the most recent release. Other recordings – like ‘Taverner & Tudor Music I’, the voices-and-percussion version of Terry Riley’s ‘60s masterpiece 'In C' and 'The Christmas Story' told through plainchant, motets and traditional folk carols -  all received great reviews all over the world. …”

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Added on: Feb 23, 2012 | Hits: 376

“Schola Pietatis Antonio Vivaldi ("Vivaldi's Women") is an all-female ensemble of singers and players which aims to recreate the sound of Vivaldi's Figlie di Choro, those foundlings at Venice's Ospedale della Pietà who performed at Mass and Vespers from behind grilles in the high choir galleries or "cantorie". It reflects the age range and vocal range of Vivaldi's musicians, with women aged 14 to 60+, some singing tenor and bass. The group uses period instruments played at 18th-century Venetian pitch (A˜440Hz).

The work of Schola Pietatis Antonio Vivaldi is based on the findings of Vivaldi researcher Micky White, which give us a comprehensive picture of the daily life of this remarkable institution during the 18th century, the heyday of its musical tradition. We even know the names and ages of the women who sang and played at specific times, together with their instruments and voices; in some cases the names of soloists are written into the music.

Schola Pietatis Antonio Vivaldi includes several past and present members of Oxford Girls' Choir, and was founded by musicologist and choral director Richard Vendome. In 2005 it recorded “Vivaldi’s Women” and “Gloria” for BBC TV, and Vivaldi’s Vespers for Radio 3, with players drawn from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment / Jerwood Experience. "Vivaldi's Women" was awarded a Gold Medal in the "Best Documentary on a Music Subject" category in the 2007 Park City Film Music Festival, Salt Lake City.

During October 2007 the choir performed in Antwerp, Utrecht, London and Bristol with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment directed by Pavlo Beznosiuk, in a programme broadcast on Netherlands Radio 4 and BBC Radio 3. In February 2009 Schola Pietatis Antonio Vivaldi recorded music for the Sky Arts series "Peter Ackroyd's Venice", and this is now available on DVD.“

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Added on: Sep 07, 2011 | Hits: 371

“Born in Monopoli near Bari in 1978, he studied at the Music Conservatory “N. Rota” of Monopoli with Serafina Tuzzi with the highest marks and he graduated in Violin highschool with Francesco D’Orazio. He also pursued training in Economics at the University of Bari, graduating in 2003.

He studied baroque music with: Maria Cristina Kiehr, Roberta Invernizzi, Rosa Dominguez, Claudio Cavina, Jill Feldmann, Renè Clemencic and with the English Countertenor Paul Esswood, teacher at the “Royal Academy of Music” in London.

He took part in many competitions: first prize at the “5th Premio città di Brindisi” and the Honour Diploma at the “TIM Competition”.

He’s been interpreter of Monteverdi’s Operas as: “L’Orfeo” staged by Trisha Brown and musical director Renè Jacobs at “59° Festival of Aix en Provence”; “Ottone” in “L’Incoronazione di Poppea” at “30° Festival of Ambronay” under the direction of Leonardo Garcia Alarcon.

He collaborate with “Academia Montis Regalis” directed by Alessandro De Marchi and with the chamber ensemble “L’Astrèe-Montis Regalis” and his director Giorgio Tabacco.

In 2008 he appears at the “Resonanzen” Festival of the Wiener Konzerthaus and “Mostly Mozart Festival” at “Lincoln Center” in New York, with “Concerto Italiano” and Rinaldo Alessandrini.

He is active in medieval music, being a member of the choir “Ars Antiqua”. With this ensemble he has sung for the “Elpidiense Organistic Academy” and for the “Ars Organi Festival”in Lecce.

In February 2002 he made his dedut as Liscione in “La Dirindina”of D. Scarlatti, for the “EuroOrchestra” in Bari and in Lecce with the Salentine Orchestra “Terra d’Otranto”.

He sings at the “XXXI Festival della Valle d’Itria” of Martina Franca in “Farinelli Imperatore del ’700” and at the “VIII Barocco Festival Leonardo Leo” in “La semiglianza de chi l’ha fatta”.

He took part in many concerts and festivals as : “Misteria Paschalia” in Krakow, “Lodz Philarmonic”,“Accademia filarmonica Romana”, “XI Festival Lodoviciano” in Viadana, “IX Festival dei Teatri possibili” in Foggia invited by “Solisti Dauni”, “The Organ Tradition in Puglia”, “V Festival Internazionale di Musica Antica” in Pescara, “VIII Festival dell’Aurora” in Crotone” singing “VIII Libro dei Madrigali” of Claudio Monteverdi. “IX Festival le Ore d’Organo” in Ancona, “Collegio Borromeo” Pavia.

He took part as a solist in contemporary music festivals in which he has sung “Carmina Burana” of Carl Orff for “Duni Festival” in Matera and in the Autumn 2004 he was interpreter, in a world premiere, “Der Misogyne” libretto by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, music by Hans-Wilhelm Plate at the “Lessing Theater” in Wolfenbuttel and at the “Wolfsburg Theater” in Wolfsburg.

Still abroad as a solist, he took part in the “1st Miskolc International Opera Festival” in Hungary, and in the summer 2002 he was chosen by his music school to take part in a masterclass in South Corea at the “Chung-Ang” University in Seoul and he partecipated in the final concert at the famous “Art-Center”.

As a solist he has recorded several records, among which the whole “Missa Romana” ed NAÏVE, “Magnificat” ed Tactus, “Romanze da Camera” of Giuseppe Verdi to celebrate Verdi Centenary in 2001 and “Missa Borromea” for solist and choir of Costanzo Antegnati. His future projects include the role of “Ottone” in “L’Incoronazione di Poppea” with Claudio Cavina and “La Venexiana” at Festival MITO “Settembre Musica” in Milan.“

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Added on: Oct 07, 2011 | Hits: 370

“Catherine Bott studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and then spent two years singing everything from Bach to Berio with the Swingles before beginning her solo career.

She is recognised as a virtuoso of early music: among her many recordings in this field are Bach's St. John Passion with the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Monteverdi's L'Incoronazione di Poppaea with Sir John Eliot Gardiner and Purcell's Dido and Aeneas with the Academy of Ancient Music.

In contrast, she is much in demand by contemporary composers and has premiered and recorded works by Craig Armstrong, Jonathan Dove, Michael Nyman and Errollyn Wallen.

Recent cd releases include Delectatio Angeli for Hyperion, "an utter delight, outstanding" (International Record Review) and a collection of Spanish and Moorish songs and poetry, and Convivencia, for the innovative new Fred label: "a rare commitment worthy of spoken theatre" (Gramophone).

Catherine Bott's speaking voice can regularly be heard on BBC Radio: she presents The Early Music Show on BBC Radio 3 at weekends, and is one of the hosts of R3's weekday evenings, Performance on 3. She has also presented programmes about Saint Cecilia - and Mantovani - on Radio 4. In 2007 she gave a series of talks on the life and music of Bach for a leading cultural travel company, and for passengers on Lufthansa flights she is the English voice of "Time for Classics".

She is a patron of the Portsmouth Festivities and a Governor of Trinity Laban Conservatory of Music and Dance. The GSM and D awarded her a Fellowship in 2009.”

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Added on: Nov 22, 2011 | Hits: 369

“One of the leading vocal consorts in the UK, Alamire has an enviable line-up of some of the finest consort singers under the charismatic directorship of David Skinner. Inspired by the great choral works of the medieval and early modern periods, the ensemble expands or contracts according to its chosen repertoire and often combines with instrumentalists, creating colourful programmes to illustrate musical or historical themes. Recent collaborations with Andrew Lawrence-King (Peñalosa, Siglos De Oro festival, Madrid 2010; Henryʼs Music CD and 500th anniversary celebrations 2009) and QuintEssential Sackbut & Cornett Ensemble (Henryʼs Music) have been extremely well received.

David Skinner and Alamire record exclusively for Obsidian Records, for whom they have won a number of awards. In March 2010 they received critical acclaim (Gramophone Record of the Month) for their ground-breaking CD of the complete motets of the Cantiones Sacrae (1575) of Thomas Tallis and William Byrd. This is the first in the exciting project entitled Library of English Church Music - a series of 30 recordings which will explore the highlights of the repertoire.  …”

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Added on: Mar 28, 2012 | Hits: 360

“Noted for her radiant, crystalline voice and superb musicianship, soprano Christine Brandes brings her committed artistry to repertoire ranging from the 17th century to newly composed works and enjoys an active career in North America and abroad, performing at many of the world’s most distinguished festivals and concert series in programs spanning from recitals and chamber music to oratorio and opera. .. “

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Added on: Feb 14, 2011 | Hits: 351

“The Swedish soloist Susanne Rydén is one of Europe's sucessful sopranos specialising in early music. Her love and understanding of the colourful Baroque repertoire regularly has led her to work with internationally acclaimed ensembles and conductors, recent concert seasons having included the part of Dorinda in Handel's opera Orlando at the Handel Festival in Göttingen, at the Drottningholm Court Theatre in Stockholm as well as in San Fransisco under the direction of Nicholas McGegan, the St. Matthew Passion with the Nederlandse Bachvereiniging, a programme of Handel with Harry Bicket and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in Stockholm, Haydn's Creation with the Kölner Akademie, Handel's Messiah with the Bach Collegium Japan under Masaaki Suzuki, concerts with Lars Ulrik Mortensen and Concerto Copenhagen, Mozart Concert Arias with the Australian Brandenburg Baroque Orchestra and Paul Dyer, and European tours with Emma Kirkby as well as Collegium Vocale and Philippe Herreweghe.
In 2009 she could be seen and heard as the soloist at the Nobel Banquet in Stockholm.”

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Added on: Mar 24, 2012 | Hits: 350

“Internationally renowned, Acadian soprano Suzie LeBlanc has established an extraordinary career specializing in Baroque and Classical repertoire and exploring and recording a substantial amount of unpublished material while living in Europe. Her thirst and curiosity for new vistas now lead her toward the repertoire of French mélodies, lieder, Acadian folk music, contemporary music as well as exploring the art of improvisation with Helmut Lipsky and « Au parfum de Tango ».

Her contribution to Acadian culture with the CDs La Mer Jolie and Tout passe and with the documentary Suzie LeBlanc : A Musical Quest, directed by Donald Winkler, along with her performances of Early Music have earned her honorary doctorates from King’s College University in Halifax and Mount Allison University in New-Brunswick. …

She has worked with many of the world’s leading early music ensembles in concert and opera performances as well as on film and on disc. Concerts have taken her to Festivals all over the world as well as to the Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), the Wigmore Hall and the Konzerthaus in Vienna. On the opera stage, she has performed for De Nederlandse Opera, Festival de Beaune, Opéra de Montréal, the Boston Early Music Festival, Tanglewood, Festival Vancouver and Early Music Vancouver.

In recent seasons, she recorded Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte (Pamina) with La Petite Bande (Bayer Records) and Mozart lieder with Yannick Nézet-Seguin (ATMA) and returned to the Brooklyn Academy of Music for Bach’s St-Matthew Passion as staged by Jonathan Miller. Other recent recordings include Lully’s Thésée (CPO), Gluck’s Orphée (Naxos), Buxtehude motets with Emma Kirkby, Peter Harvey and the Purcell Symphony (Chandos), and a Handel Portrait (ATMA). …

Suzie LeBlanc is artistic director of Le Nouvel Opéra (www.lenouvelopera.com) which is ensemble-in-residence at the Montreal Conservatory and co-artisic director of the Elizabeth Bishop Centenary Festival (2011) in Nova Scotia (www.elizabethbishopcentenary.blogspot.com).”

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Added on: Mar 28, 2012 | Hits: 347

“The Renaissance Camerata de Caracas was founded in March 1978 by Professor Isabel Palacios with a group of Venezuelan musicians in order to interpret international early music from the Middle Ages in Europe to the Latin American Baroque …”

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Added on: Feb 29, 2012 | Hits: 342

“San Francisco Renaissance Voices made our debut in 2004 with a "standing room only" performance of Victoria's Requiem and quickly became a favorite of Bay Area Early Music audiences.
 
We have consistently earned praise for our "gossamer sound ... a sound something akin to spiritual levitation" as well as recognition for our imaginative programming and christened the Bay Area's"hipper than thou" Early Music ensemble by San Francisco Classical Voice and in 2010 SFWeekly chose us as
"Best Classical Music" for their Best of San Francisco edition.

We are a professional mixed-voice ensemble dedicated to performing and exploring the a cappella choral music of the Renaissance particularly lesser-known and rarely-performed works, as well as exploring music from this period outside of the traditional European canon.”

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Added on: Sep 26, 2011 | Hits: 328

“Blackdowns Early Music Projects have been happening every year since 2004.  The Project was principally conceived  to draw together groups of experienced singers to work under the expert guidance of specialist music directors on programmes of infrequently performed early music (mostly pre 1720).   The singers are invited from all over Europe and the UK and spend 3 or 4 days working together on music that is performed in Blackdown Hills area venue.  The resulting choral concerts  have become a mainstream event in the Blackdowns calendar for anyone who loves renaissance or baroque vocal music.”

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Added on: Nov 08, 2012 | Hits: 321

“Matthew Leese is known as a versatile baritone, conductor, director, and teacher, specializing in early music, art song and opera. He has founded three critically acclaimed ensembles, including the professional early music ensemble 'Gravitación'. His extensive performing experience in the USA, New Zealand, Asia and Europe includes numerous opera, recital and oratorio credits. CD credits include ‘Elements’ and ‘Le Stagioni’ with First Step Records, a disc of new music by NZ composer Anthony Ritchie, and as medieval soloist on the 2007 Norton Anthology. As a director, Matthew has led productions of many staged productions, and is known for his expertise in period stage movement. Matthew serves on the Voice and Opera faculty at Millikin University, is Co-Artistic Director of the New Brunswick Early Music Festival, Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church of Urbana and is pursuing a Doctorate in Choral Conducting at the University of Illinois.“

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Added on: Jun 08, 2011 | Hits: 318