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Musica Franca is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1991 in Toronto, Canada. The group specializes in performing music from the Baroque and Renaissance periods, with a particular focus on French and Italian repertoire. The founding members of Musica Franca were flutist Alison Melville, harpsichordist Charlotte Nediger, and cellist Margaret Gay. All three musicians were accomplished performers in their own right, with extensive experience playing with other ensembles and orchestras. From the beginning, Musica Franca was committed to exploring the rich and varied repertoire of early music, and to bringing this music to audiences in Canada and beyond. The group's first performances were well-received, and they quickly gained a reputation for their virtuosic playing and their innovative programming. Over the years, Musica Franca has expanded its membership to include a number of other talented musicians, including violinists Christopher Verrette and Patricia Ahern, violist Patrick Jordan, and bassist Ben Grossman. Despite these changes, the group has remained true to its original mission, and continues to be recognized as one of the leading ensembles in the field of early music. One of the highlights of Musica Franca's career was their performance at the 1994 Boston Early Music Festival, where they were praised for their "exquisite playing" and "impeccable ensemble work." This performance helped to establish the group's reputation in the United States, and led to a number of other high-profile engagements. In addition to their live performances, Musica Franca has also released several critically acclaimed recordings. Their debut album, "Musique de Chambre," was released in 1994 and featured works by French Baroque composers such as Jean-Philippe Rameau and Marin Marais. This album was followed by several others, including "Italian Music of the 17th Century" and "Music for a While: Improvisations on Purcell." Over the years, Musica Franca has received numerous awards and accolades for their work. In 1996, they were awarded the prestigious Prix Opus for "Best Early Music Concert of the Year" for their performance of French Baroque music at the Montreal Baroque Festival. They have also been nominated for several Juno Awards, Canada's top music award, and have been featured on numerous radio and television programs. Despite their success, Musica Franca remains committed to their original mission of exploring and sharing the rich and varied repertoire of early music. They continue to perform regularly in Canada and around the world, and are widely regarded as one of the leading ensembles in their field.

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