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Ensemble

 

Passamezzo is a classical music ensemble that specializes in performing music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The group was founded in 2001 by four musicians who shared a passion for early music and a desire to bring it to a wider audience. The founding members of Passamezzo were Tamsin Lewis (soprano), Richard Mackenzie (lute and guitar), Alison Kinder (viols), and Robin Jeffrey (lute and theorbo). All four musicians had extensive experience performing early music and had worked together in various ensembles before forming Passamezzo. The name Passamezzo comes from a popular dance of the Renaissance era, and reflects the group's interest in exploring the dance music of the period. In addition to dance music, Passamezzo also performs vocal and instrumental music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, including works by composers such as John Dowland, William Byrd, and Henry Purcell. Passamezzo's first major performance was at the Brighton Early Music Festival in 2002, where they received critical acclaim for their innovative programming and virtuosic playing. Since then, the group has performed at numerous festivals and concert series throughout the UK and Europe, including the York Early Music Festival, the London Festival of Baroque Music, and the Utrecht Early Music Festival. One of Passamezzo's most notable performances was at the 2012 BBC Proms, where they performed a program of music by Henry Purcell. The concert was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and received widespread praise for its sensitive and nuanced interpretation of Purcell's music. Passamezzo has also been recognized for their recordings, which have received critical acclaim and won several awards. Their 2008 album "The Food of Love: Songs, Dances, and Fancies for Shakespeare" was named one of the top classical recordings of the year by The Times, and their 2015 album "The Cut Purse: Songs, Dances, and Ballads of 17th Century England" won the prestigious Gramophone Award for Early Music. In addition to their performances and recordings, Passamezzo is also committed to education and outreach. The group regularly gives workshops and masterclasses for students and amateur musicians, and has worked with organizations such as the National Trust and the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust to bring early music to a wider audience. Passamezzo's success can be attributed to their exceptional musicianship, innovative programming, and commitment to bringing early music to a wider audience. Their performances and recordings have earned them a reputation as one of the leading ensembles in the field of early music, and they continue to inspire and delight audiences around the world.

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