Genre

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Vocal

 

The Newberry Consort is a classical music ensemble that specializes in the performance of music from the medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. Founded in 1986 by Mary Springfels, a renowned viola da gamba player, the ensemble has become one of the most respected and innovative early music groups in the United States. Mary Springfels, who had previously been a member of the influential early music ensemble Hesperus, founded the Newberry Consort with the goal of exploring the rich and diverse repertoire of early music. She was joined by a group of talented musicians, including David Douglass (violin), Ellen Hargis (soprano), and Mark Rimple (lute and voice), among others. The ensemble takes its name from the Newberry Library in Chicago, which has a renowned collection of rare books and manuscripts from the medieval and Renaissance periods. The Newberry Consort has collaborated with the library on numerous occasions, performing music from the library's collection and participating in educational programs for the public. Over the years, the Newberry Consort has performed at some of the most prestigious venues in the United States, including the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and the Ravinia Festival in Chicago. The ensemble has also toured extensively, performing in Europe, Asia, and South America. One of the highlights of the Newberry Consort's career was its performance of the complete cycle of Monteverdi's madrigals in 2007. The cycle, which consists of nine books of madrigals, is considered one of the greatest achievements of early music. The Newberry Consort's performance was praised for its sensitivity and virtuosity, and it was hailed as a landmark event in the history of early music performance. The ensemble has also been recognized for its innovative programming, which often combines music with other art forms, such as poetry, dance, and visual art. In 2012, the Newberry Consort collaborated with the Chicago Shakespeare Theater on a production of Shakespeare's "The Tempest," which featured music from the Renaissance period. The production was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to raise the profile of early music in the United States. In addition to its performances, the Newberry Consort has also been active in the recording studio. The ensemble has released several albums on the Harmonia Mundi label, including "The Food of Love," which features music from Shakespeare's plays, and "The Sacred Bridge," which explores the connections between Jewish and Christian music in the Renaissance period. The Newberry Consort has received numerous awards and accolades over the years. In 1990, the ensemble was awarded the Noah Greenberg Award by the American Musicological Society, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the performance of early music. The ensemble has also been nominated for several Grammy Awards, including Best Classical Album and Best Small Ensemble Performance. Despite its many achievements, the Newberry Consort remains committed to its mission of exploring the rich and diverse repertoire of early music. The ensemble continues to perform and record music from the medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods, and it remains one of the most respected and innovative early music groups in the United States.

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