Classical Opera Orchestra is a renowned classical music ensemble that specializes in performing operas and other vocal works from the Classical and early Romantic periods. The orchestra was founded in 1997 by conductor and musicologist Ian Page, who remains its artistic director to this day. Page's vision for the orchestra was to create a platform for the performance of lesser-known works from the Classical era, particularly those by Mozart and his contemporaries. He also sought to showcase the talents of young and emerging singers, many of whom have gone on to become major stars in the opera world. The orchestra's core members are drawn from some of the UK's leading period-instrument ensembles, including the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, the Academy of Ancient Music, and the English Baroque Soloists. This gives the orchestra a unique sound and style that is both historically informed and musically engaging. Over the years, Classical Opera Orchestra has performed at some of the world's most prestigious venues, including the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, the Barbican Centre, and the Wigmore Hall. The orchestra has also toured extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and North America, earning critical acclaim for its performances and recordings. One of the orchestra's most notable achievements was its ambitious Mozart 250 project, which aimed to perform all of Mozart's operas in chronological order over a period of 27 years, starting in 2006. The project was a huge undertaking, requiring the orchestra to research and prepare rarely performed works, as well as commission new translations and editions of the scores. The Mozart 250 project was a major success, with the orchestra receiving widespread praise for its performances and recordings of the operas. The project also helped to establish Classical Opera Orchestra as one of the leading interpreters of Mozart's music, and cemented its reputation as a champion of lesser-known works from the Classical era. In addition to its Mozart 250 project, Classical Opera Orchestra has also performed a wide range of other operas and vocal works from the Classical and early Romantic periods. Some of the orchestra's most notable performances include Handel's "Semele," Gluck's "Orfeo ed Euridice," and Haydn's "L'isola disabitata." The orchestra has also collaborated with some of the world's leading singers, including Sir Thomas Allen, Sally Matthews, and Lawrence Zazzo. These collaborations have resulted in some of the orchestra's most memorable performances, such as its critically acclaimed recording of Mozart's "La finta giardiniera" with soprano Miah Persson. Classical Opera Orchestra has received numerous awards and accolades over the years, including the Gramophone Award for Best Opera Recording in 2012 for its recording of Mozart's "Il sogno di Scipione." The orchestra has also been praised for its commitment to education and outreach, with initiatives such as its MOZART! project, which introduces young people to the music of Mozart through interactive workshops and performances. In conclusion, Classical Opera Orchestra is a highly respected and influential classical music ensemble that has made a significant contribution to the performance and interpretation of operas and vocal works from the Classical and early Romantic periods.

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