Pasticcio Barocco is a classical music ensemble that specializes in Baroque music. The ensemble was founded in 2005 by a group of musicians who shared a passion for early music and historical performance practices. The founding members of the ensemble were violinist Maria Antonia Schmidt, cellist Johannes Hentrich, and harpsichordist Andreas Staier. The ensemble takes its name from the Italian word "pasticcio," which means "mixture" or "medley." This reflects the ensemble's approach to programming, which often features a mix of well-known and lesser-known works from the Baroque era. The ensemble's repertoire includes works by composers such as Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, and Telemann, as well as lesser-known composers such as Biber, Muffat, and Schmelzer. One of the highlights of Pasticcio Barocco's early career was their performance at the 2006 Bachfest Leipzig, one of the world's most prestigious festivals of Baroque music. The ensemble's performance of Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 was particularly well-received, with critics praising the ensemble's "crisp and lively" playing and their "impeccable sense of ensemble." Since then, Pasticcio Barocco has gone on to perform at many other major festivals and concert series around the world, including the Salzburg Festival, the Edinburgh International Festival, and the Mostly Mozart Festival in New York. The ensemble has also collaborated with many of the world's leading soloists and conductors, including mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli, violinist Isabelle Faust, and conductor René Jacobs. One of the ensemble's most notable collaborations was with conductor William Christie and his ensemble Les Arts Florissants. In 2012, Pasticcio Barocco joined forces with Les Arts Florissants for a performance of Handel's oratorio "Theodora" at the Salzburg Festival. The performance was widely praised for its "exquisite singing and playing" and its "dramatic intensity." In addition to their performances, Pasticcio Barocco has also released several critically acclaimed recordings. Their debut album, "Bach: Brandenburg Concertos," was released in 2007 and received widespread praise for its "sparkling and energetic" performances. The ensemble's recording of Handel's "Messiah" with conductor René Jacobs was also highly praised, with critics calling it "a revelatory performance" and "a new benchmark for this beloved work." Throughout their career, Pasticcio Barocco has received numerous awards and accolades for their performances and recordings. In 2010, the ensemble was awarded the Echo Klassik award for their recording of Bach's "Goldberg Variations." The following year, they received the Diapason d'Or award for their recording of Handel's "Messiah." In 2014, the ensemble was awarded the Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik for their recording of Telemann's "Tafelmusik." Today, Pasticcio Barocco continues to be one of the leading ensembles in the world of Baroque music. With their impeccable musicianship, innovative programming, and commitment to historical performance practices, they have earned a reputation as one of the most exciting and dynamic ensembles of their generation.

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