Orpheus Britannicus is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1978 by Julian Podger and Andrew Parrott. The ensemble is known for its performances of Baroque and Renaissance music, and has gained a reputation for its historically informed performances. The founding members of Orpheus Britannicus were Julian Podger, who was a tenor, and Andrew Parrott, who was a conductor. The two musicians had met while studying at Oxford University, and had a shared interest in early music. They decided to form an ensemble that would specialize in performing music from the Baroque and Renaissance periods, using historically informed techniques. The name "Orpheus Britannicus" was chosen as a tribute to the English composer Henry Purcell, who was known as the "Orpheus Britannicus" during his lifetime. Purcell was a major influence on the music of the Baroque period, and his works are still widely performed today. The early years of Orpheus Britannicus were spent performing in small venues around London, and the ensemble quickly gained a following among early music enthusiasts. The ensemble's first major performance was in 1980, when they performed at the Purcell Room in London's Southbank Centre. The concert was a critical success, and helped to establish Orpheus Britannicus as one of the leading early music ensembles in the UK. Over the years, Orpheus Britannicus has had a number of different members, but the core of the ensemble has always been Julian Podger and Andrew Parrott. Other notable members have included the sopranos Emma Kirkby and Catherine Bott, the tenor Nigel Rogers, and the bass David Thomas. One of the highlights of Orpheus Britannicus' career was their performance of Handel's Messiah at the Royal Albert Hall in 1982. The performance was conducted by Andrew Parrott, and featured a cast of soloists that included Emma Kirkby and Nigel Rogers. The concert was a huge success, and helped to establish Orpheus Britannicus as one of the leading early music ensembles in the world. Orpheus Britannicus has also been recognized for its recordings of early music. In 1984, the ensemble won a Gramophone Award for their recording of Purcell's Dido and Aeneas. The recording featured Emma Kirkby in the role of Dido, and was praised for its historically informed approach to the music. In addition to their performances and recordings, Orpheus Britannicus has also been involved in a number of educational projects. The ensemble has worked with schools and universities to promote the study and performance of early music, and has also conducted workshops and masterclasses for aspiring musicians. Today, Orpheus Britannicus continues to perform and record music from the Baroque and Renaissance periods. The ensemble has expanded its repertoire to include works by composers such as Bach, Vivaldi, and Monteverdi, but remains committed to performing music in a historically informed manner. In conclusion, Orpheus Britannicus is a classical music ensemble that has made a significant contribution to the performance and study of early music. Founded in 1978 by Julian Podger and Andrew Parrott, the ensemble has gained a reputation for its historically informed performances of Baroque and Renaissance music. Over the years, Orpheus Britannicus has performed in some of the world's most prestigious concert halls, and has been recognized for its recordings of early music.

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