Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Baroque

 

Scherzi Musicali is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 2005 by Nicolas Achten, a Belgian musician and conductor. The ensemble is known for its performances of early music, particularly from the Baroque period, and has gained a reputation for its innovative and dynamic interpretations of this repertoire. The founding of Scherzi Musicali was the result of Achten's desire to create an ensemble that would explore the rich and varied world of early music. Achten, who is a multi-instrumentalist and singer, had already established himself as a respected performer in the early music scene, having worked with a number of other ensembles and orchestras. However, he felt that there was a need for a group that would focus specifically on the music of the Baroque period, and that would bring a fresh and exciting approach to this repertoire. To this end, Achten assembled a group of musicians who shared his passion for early music, and who were committed to exploring the possibilities of this repertoire. The ensemble's name, Scherzi Musicali, reflects this sense of playfulness and experimentation, as well as its commitment to exploring the full range of emotions and moods that are present in Baroque music. The core members of Scherzi Musicali are Nicolas Achten (voice, lute, theorbo), Céline Scheen (soprano), and Reinoud Van Mechelen (tenor). These three musicians have been with the ensemble since its founding, and have played a key role in shaping its sound and style. In addition to these core members, the ensemble also works with a number of other musicians, depending on the specific repertoire and performance. Over the years, Scherzi Musicali has gained a reputation for its innovative and dynamic performances, which combine a deep understanding of the historical context of the music with a fresh and contemporary approach. The ensemble has performed at a number of major festivals and venues throughout Europe, including the Festival Oude Muziek in Utrecht, the Festival de Saintes in France, and the Wigmore Hall in London. One of the highlights of Scherzi Musicali's career was its performance of Monteverdi's L'Orfeo at the Festival Oude Muziek in Utrecht in 2017. This production, which was directed by Vincent Dumestre and featured the ensemble Pygmalion, was widely praised for its innovative staging and powerful performances. Scherzi Musicali played a key role in the success of the production, with Achten's lute and theorbo playing providing a rich and evocative accompaniment to the singers. Another notable performance by Scherzi Musicali was its 2019 concert at the Wigmore Hall in London, which featured a program of music by Claudio Monteverdi. The concert was praised for its "exquisite musicianship" and "sensitive and nuanced" performances, and demonstrated the ensemble's ability to bring a fresh and contemporary approach to even the most well-known works of the Baroque period. In addition to its performances, Scherzi Musicali has also received a number of awards and accolades over the years. In 2012, the ensemble was awarded the prestigious Klara Award for Best Early Music Recording for its album "Lamento: Madrigals of Monteverdi and his Contemporaries". The album, which features performances by Achten, Scheen, and Van Mechelen, was praised for its "intense and emotional" performances, and for its ability to bring the music of the Baroque period to life for modern audiences.

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