EarlyMusicNews.Org

“After comprehensive training as a harpsichordist, organist, pianist, singer, composer, choirmaster and conductor, Hervé Niquet made his debut as choirmaster at the Opéra National de Paris (1980).

In 1987, he founded Le Concert Spirituel, with which he has since explored exceptional repertoires of the baroque period, with emphasis on the French tradition and its emblematic sacred works (masses and motets by Charpentier, Lully, Gilles, Campra, Rameau, Colasse, Desmarest and Boismortier), while endeavouring to revive masterpieces of French lyrical theatre (Pigmalion by Jean-Philippe Rameau, Don Quichotte chez la Duchesse and Daphnis & Chloé by Joseph Bodin de Boismortier, Le Triomphe d’Iris by Louis-Nicolas Clérambault, Médée by Marc-Antoine Charpentier, Callirhoé by André Cardinal Destouches, Sémélé by Marin Marais, Proserpine by Jean-Baptiste Lully, and, soon, Andromaque by André Ernest Modeste Grétry). Passion does not necessarily imply exclusion: Handel, Lorenzani, Purcell, Bach, Haydn, Gossec, Rigel, Philidor and Mozart also frequently feature on Le Concert Spirituel’s programmes. ..“

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Added on: May 18, 2009 | Hits: 311

“Created in 1992 by Franck-Emmanuel Comte, "Le Concert de l’Hostel Dieu" is a flexible vocal and instrumental Ensemble, which follows three artistic lines:
- it devotes a large part of its programs to the rediscovery and the promotion of regional musical heritage from the XVIIth and XVIIth centuries in showing the link between France and Italy thanks to a strong Italian heritage in Lyons. (Le Concert de l’Hostel Dieu is the only one group in the region that plays principally this repertoire.)
- creation of interdisciplinary musical programs that points up a link between learned music and traditional music.
- original and creative presentation of masterpieces of the sacred and profane repertoire. ..“

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Added on: Jul 27, 2009 | Hits: 315

"Le Concert Spirituel was the first and most prestigious institutions of public concert in France in the eighteenth century (1725-1789). Known across Europe, it attracted the greatest virtuosos and major composers of the time. The programming was bold: french heritage and the most original creations; most eclectic genres were played (entertainment, excerpts from operas, cantatas, grands motets, symphonies, sonatas and concertos). The mass impressive soloists, singers and instrumentalists - more than a hundred! -- brought together the best performers that France had so…

It is a tribute to this historic institution that Hervé Niquet chooses to baptize "Le Concert Spirituel"created in 1987. There breathes the same ambition, same commitment, the same eclecticism and - most importantly - the same team spirit. For all these reasons, Le Concert Spirituel has become one of the sets of reference for the interpretation of Baroque music on period instruments, working closely in this respect to the actions of the Baroque Music Center of Versailles and occurring regularly the Chapel and the Opera du Chateau de Versailles. ... " (Google translation) Visit website for more information (ed.)

Added on: Apr 09, 2008 | Hits: 314

Orchestra on Period Instruments
Alexis Kossenko, direction

”Les Ambassadeurs & Alexis Kossenko realize a dream of a European orchestra reconciling the performance on period instruments with a wide repertoire hitherto fragmented by specialization. At once sincere messengers, passionate performers and inspired creators, their mission is to share with as wide a public as possible the infinite range of emotions conveyed by the experience of music.

Tracing their path away from dogmas, fashions and schools, Les Ambassadeurs pursue an ideal of eloquence – where the grammar of period instruments, the art of rhetoric and musical instinct do not exclude each other. …”

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Added on: May 14, 2012 | Hits: 161

“Created in 1986 by the recorder player Jean-Marc Andrieu, the orchestra Les Passions is in residence in Montauban. This flexible ensemble specialises in the practice of period instruments. Its artistic approach reconciles two principles: a respect for the musical technique of the period (authentic performance) and a dynamic interpretation of the musical composition. Its vocation is to convince the public that ancient music is as relevant to the present as are the writings of Molière, the paintings of La Tour or the architecture of Mansart. Its repertoire extends from the beginning of the 17th century (Monteverdi's Vêpres à la Vierge) to the end of the 18th century (Mozart's Requiem) encompassing a large number of the masters of the Baroque era (Bach, Handel, Telemann, Scarlatti, Vivaldi, Purcell, Charpentier...). The orchestra is also dedicated to rediscovering the legacy of French music by producing the opera Stratonice by Méhul, Daphnis et Alcimadure by Mondonville and works by Toulouse composers Dupuy, Levens and Jean Gilles. The orchestra also contributes to the restitution of the musical library of the Dukes of Aiguillon. ..“

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Added on: Jul 27, 2009 | Hits: 292

“Our aim -- to bring good music, played well to everyone. Simple and approachable. We're not a group who believes in gimmicks nor do we believe that our concerts are exclusively for the elite. We put a particular emphasis on communication both with each other and with our audience. It's this that gives us a special freedom of expression in our performances.

Born out of a highly successful year of touring with the European Union Baroque Orchestra,the 27 members were driven by their enjoyment of playing together and the wonderful musical experiences they shared to create a new orchestra.The diversity of culture within the orchestra creates a very special and vibrant sound. Every member brings,from their eleven different countries, their own experiences and musical ideas.

New Century Baroque gave their very successful debut concert in May of 2010 to a packed hall in Newbury and have since performed with soprano Gamma Bertagnolli in Trento, Brixen and Taufers. With EUBO, the group have performed under the directionof some of Europe's finest baroque musicians and have given concerts all over the continent from Slovenia to Bulgaria, Italy, Spain and Latvia to name but a few.”

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Added on: Jul 21, 2011 | Hits: 242

"The Purcell Choir and Orfeo Orchestra have been performing continuously since their foundation in Budapest. The chief conductor and artistic director of both ensembles is György Vashegyi, but they have also given concerts with guest conductors such as Nicholas McGegan and Howard Williams. The choir consists of 20-45 young soloists; the orchestra plays - on period instruments - with 15-45 members, and has undertaken successful tours in Austria (Vienna/Salzburg, “Toujours Mozart” 2004, 2005), Germany (Dresden, "Festspiele" 1993), France (Paris, "Festival d'Art Sacré" 1995, "Festival Périgord-Noir" 2001, etc.), Belgium (Namur, Europalia 1999), Switzerland, Luxembourg, Italy, Israel (Rishon LeZion Spring Festival 2001) and South America. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 29, 2008 | Hits: 375

“Cois Cladaigh is a mixed voice choir based in Galway and was founded in 1982. The name - Cois Cladaigh - is Irish and can be translated as "beside the Claddagh" which is a well-known area in Galway City. The choir specialises in European music from the late 15^th and early 16^th centuries and also performs a formidable repertoire of contemporary choral music, particularly from Ireland, but also from Scandinavia, Eastern European countries, and North America. …”

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Added on: Mar 02, 2012 | Hits: 125

“Since their first performance of Handel's "Messiah" in December 1983, the Galway Baroque Singers have established themselves as one of Ireland's most accomplished amateur choirs.

Formed by Audrey Corbett, the choir has sung many of the major choral works:

• Masses by Haydn, Beethoven, Weber, Cherubini, Bruckner and Mozart
• Magnificats by Bach, Pergolesi, Rutter
• Glorias by Vivaldi and Poulenc
• Requiems by Mozart, Faure, Durufle, Verdi and Rutter
• Carl Orff's Carmina Burana …”

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Added on: Mar 02, 2012 | Hits: 192

"The Irish Baroque Orchestra is Ireland’s only professional period instrument orchestra. Established in 1996 by Mark Duley and Thérèse Timoney, the Irish Baroque Orchestra has worked with many of the world’s greatest baroque players. Amongst the orchestra’s members are the most acclaimed young players in the international early music scene, many of whom work with the world’s finest ensembles. Using either baroque instruments or modern replicas, the orchestra explores the playing techniques and stylistic practices associated with music from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and gives Irish audiences the rare and precious opportunity to hear this music in live performances that recreate the vivid colours and textures of the baroque sound world.

The orchestra presents four seasons of concerts annually along with a number of one off events. Such an arrangement allows for the most effective development of the ensemble’s sound and the players’ skills, as well as facilitating themed programming. In addition, each season includes a week of education initiatives, in conjunction with Dublin Institute of Technology Conservatory of Music and Drama. These seasons form the backbone of the orchestra’s work, its development and its artistic profile. Central to each season is a guest leader/director of international standing. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 08, 2008 | Hits: 395

"The Barrocade is a unique orchestra in the Israeli musical scene. The ensemble is composed of players who have specialized in early music in leading European music academies and have returned to Israel in order to establish a baroque ensemble of international calibre. After a successful beginning, we are proud to present a new and exciting concert season. In our orchestral series, which takes place in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, you will be able to enjoy the enchanting sound of an authentic baroque orchestra. Not only will we have guest soloists, but we will also present the varied talents of the members of the ensemble. We will play a myriad of diverse genres including sacred music, opera, art and folk music, and music written for theatre. We invite you to join us for a celebration of music and discover the baroque as you have never heard it before. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 04, 2008 | Hits: 356

“The Academia Montis Regalis's orchestra has become a professional activity thanks to the numerous concerts and the flourishing discography since 1994.
It has been conducting by the most important international specialists in the field of ancient music: Ton Koopman, Jordi Savall, Christopher Hogwood, Reinhardt Goebel, Monica Huggett, Lucy van Dael, Luigi Mangiocavallo, Enrico Gatti, Chiara Banchini, Alessandro De Marchi, who has been the main conductor for the latest years.

Today the orchestra is ever more in demand and performs in notable concert series and festivals in Italy and abroad. They have appeared at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome, the Musica e Poesia a San Maurizio in Milan, the Amici della Musica in Perugia, Florence and Padua, the Giovine Orchestra Genovese in Genoa, the Settembre Musica in Turin, the Istituzione Universitaria dei Concerti in Rome, the Théâtre de l'Opera in Lille (France), the Théâtre Municipal in Lausanne (Switzerland), the Théâtre Poissy and the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris (France).”

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Added on: Apr 24, 2011 | Hits: 237

"The Accademia Barocca Willelm Hermans was formed in October 2000 and is comprised of thirty instrumentalists and singers specialized in ancient music. The musicians have had many oprofessional experiences both in Italy and abroad and were able to distinguish themselves in prestigious festivals and competitions highlighting outstanding talents and musical interpretation. " (Google transl. ed.) Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jun 29, 2008 | Hits: 355

"The Bozen Baroque Orchestra was founded in 2006 by conductor Claudio Astronio. On the international scene since 1996, the group was formerly known as “Harmonices Mundi”. Based in Bolzano, members of the orchestra reside in Northern Italy, performing regularly in the leading European early music ensembles. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 12, 2008 | Hits: 618

"Founded in 1987 by Antonio Florio, the Cappella della Pietà de’ Turchini is made up of instrumentalists and singers who specialise in the performance of Neapolitan music from the 16th - 18th centuries, notably such outstanding composers as Provenzale, Trabaci, Veneziano, Nola, Netti, Caresana and Sabino. The unique programmes and rigorous approach to Baroque performing practice make the Cappella one of the most interesting realities in musical life in Italy, and indeed in Europe. The Ensemble has been invited to take part in a large number of musical events both in Italy and further afield: the Festival Monteverdiano in Cremona, the Accademia Filarmonica Romana, the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome, festivals in Versailles, Nancy, Nantes, Metz, Caen, Lisbon, Marseilles, Ambronay, Utrecht, the Festival de Otono de Madrid, the Festival of Ancient Music in Tel Aviv, the Schleswig Holstein Festival, the Cité de la Musique in Paris, the Fundació La Caixa e Palau de la Musica de Barcellona, Teatro Lope de Vega in Seviglia, the Konzerthaus in Vienna, Théatre La Monnaie et Festival de Wallonie in Bruxelles, the Fondation Royaumont, the Philarmonie in Berlin. Recently the Cappella della Pietà de’ Turchini has performed “La colomba ferita” by Provenzale in the Teatro Arriaga in Bilbao and the Teatro de la Zarzuela in Madrid, and “La finta cameriera” by Gaetano Latilla in opera houses in Rennes, Paris and Lille. It appeared in Bergen in May 2001 and represented the city of Naples at the Festival de Saint-Denis in June 2001 with two productions, “Opera Buffa” and “La colomba ferita”, continuing on tour in Strasburg, Halle, La Coruña and Granada. The group has performed at the Teatro Massimo in Palermo, the Ente Lirico di Cagliari, the Teatro San Carlo di Napoli, the Teatro Comunale di Ferrara and the Teatro Ponchielli di Cremona. It has recorded for Radio France, the BBC, Belgian, Spanish, German and Austrian Radio. In 1998 the Cappella was featured in a documentary by Belgian television and in a film entirely devoted to Opera Buffa for the French-German company ARTE. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 12, 2008 | Hits: 310

Ensemble & Orchestra L’Aura Soave in Cremona

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Added on: Mar 03, 2012 | Hits: 187

“Founded by Fabio Bonizzoni in 1995 as a vocal and instrumental group, La Risonanza has become a chamber orchestra devoted to 17th and 18th Century music. It frequently collaborates with guest choirs for programmes such as Handel's Messiah or Monteverdi's Vespers and invites regularly leading Italian singers like Roberta Invernizzi, Romina Basso, Raffaella Milanesi, Nuria Rial and Sergio Foresti.

Its intense concert activity brings the group all over Europe in the most important series: Santa Cecilia and Società del Quartetto in Italy, Festival of Utrecht, Quincena de San Sebastian, Festival de Cuenca, Festival de Santander, Teatro Real de Madrid, Bruges Festival and Concertgebouw,  Bozar Center in Brussels, Arsenal in Metz, Salle Gaveu in Paris...“

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Added on: May 17, 2009 | Hits: 461

“Parallel to the professional orchestra and its concert and recording activities, the Fondazione Academia Montis Regalis Onlus hosts an orchestral training course for young musicians interested in 17th and 18th century repertoire on original instruments ("Corso di Formazione Orchestrale Barocca e Classica").
The course is divided into five cycles of five days each and is directed by tutors of international reputation.

The twenty-three musicians who are selected by an international jury receive a study scholarship and the refund of their expenses for the journey, board and lodging every year.
The scholarship holders take part in an experience that is unique in Italy: they play in a chamber orchestra which is conducted by Italian and foreign directors of international fame for a period of six days every month from January to June.

The orchestra takes part in more public concerts in Mondovì, Turin and other Italian and foreign cities to show the attained artistic level at the end of every cycle.

The tutors and the artistic management decide the programs of the courses by mutual consent: the programs regard the orchestral repertory from the end of 17th to the second half of 18th century, and often they offer the possibility to take part in soloist concerts for the best of musicians.

Thanks to this formula, the young musicians have the possibility of meeting artists of great experience and international prestige and they can examine thoroughly the technical and interpretative points of view of a wide repertory from the first baroque to the threshold Viennese classicism.

The best of the participants have the possibility to be part of the professional orchestra at the end of the five cycles of study.

All the young people who are interested in being part of the Youth Orchestra can visit the web page concerning the auditions.” 

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Added on: Apr 24, 2011 | Hits: 244

"The ensemble I Virtuosi delle Muse, founded in Cremona in 2002 by Stefano Molardi, was established with the intent of interpreting and recording the vocal-instrumental Italian and German repertoire of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries using period instruments and by examining the stylistic aspects of antique execution practices. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 13, 2008 | Hits: 689

"Il Cantiere delle Muse, founded in 1990 at the initiative of its director, Roberto Caravella, is among the most esteemed and refined music ensemble in recent years. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Aug 02, 2008 | Hits: 755

"Founded in Italy in 1992 by Alan Curtis, one of the most acclaimed specialists in the interpretation of pre-romantic music, Il Complesso Barocco, has become a renowned international baroque orchestra with a focus on Italian Baroque opera and oratorio. One of their first important collaborations was with the film director Werner Herzog, who chose the ensemble as protagonist in the film Morte a cinque voci (Prix Italia 1996 and Premio Rembrandt, Amsterdam 1996) dedicated to the composer Carlo Gesualdo. Since then, their high standard for interpretation, intonation and stylistic accuracy has led to their being requested in the most important concert venues and festivals in Europe and America. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 12, 2008 | Hits: 576

"Founded in 1999 out of the "Courses of professional training on the interpretation of early music" (promoted by the Friends of Verona Conservatory and the Veneto Region with funding from the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Verona, Vicenza, Belluno e Ancona), the orchestra Il Tempio Armonico is made up of young musicians who play on historical instruments under the artistic and musical direction of Alberto Rasi. It is named after the Veronese concert season during which it gave its first performances.

Il Tempio Armonico was specially created to tackle the large orchestral repertory of the 17th and 18th centuries. It uses the instruments employed at the time, applies all the practical, theoretical, historical and aesthetic knowledge that permits one to tackle this repertory in accordance with the most authentic performance practice, and (what is even more important) aims to recreate all of the music's original appeal and vitality. Through its constant research Il Tempio Armonico has rediscovered (or reinterpreted under a different light) many fundamental works of the European musical scene, and has particularly explored the formidable artistic production that flourished in the territories of the Venetian Republic. This research began with the great Veronese musician Evaristo Felice Dall’Abaco (1675-1742), whose complete instrumental works have been presented on disc and in concert. It is due to be extended to other Veneto composers, including (of course) the most representative of all: Antonio Vivaldi. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 13, 2008 | Hits: 460

"The Baroque orchestra Modo Antiquo is regarded as one of the leading ensembles on the international early music scene.

Founded by Federico Maria Sardelli, Modo Antiquo brings together specialists in Baroque music who share a taste for instrumental virtuosity and an in-depth knowledge of historical performance styles and languages.

With its specific approach to performance of Italian Baroque music, and of Vivaldi in particular, Modo Antiquo has become established as a benchmark ensemble in this field. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 13, 2008 | Hits: 343

Italina baroque orchestra. Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 27, 2008 | Hits: 430

“Silete Venti! was born in 2004 to deepen the study of the Baroque and Classic period, with the peculiarity of using authentic instruments and of giving a great attention to the original techniques and to search for the ancient sources. The orchestra has from the beginning cooperated with important hystorical researchers and well known international musicians such as Corrado Rovaris. Silete venti! is formed by musicians who are winner of international awards and have been Prime parti in famous orchestras, and who teach in schools full of prestige. Young talented musicians are also applied to the orchestra, with the desire of promoting an ambitious and deep cultural development. Silete Venti! has then become an important part in the Ancient Music panorama, and has been invited in famous festival focused on this repertoire.”

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Added on: Nov 16, 2011 | Hits: 191