Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Baroque

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

Ensemble Seicentonovecento is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1998 in Italy. The ensemble is known for its unique approach to performing early music, particularly from the 17th and 18th centuries. The group's name, which translates to "17th-18th Century Ensemble," reflects its focus on this period of music history. The founding members of Ensemble Seicentonovecento were a group of musicians who shared a passion for early music and a desire to explore new ways of interpreting it. The group was led by conductor and harpsichordist Flavio Colusso, who remains the ensemble's artistic director to this day. Other founding members included violinist Stefano Barneschi, cellist Gaetano Nasillo, and flutist Marcello Gatti. From the beginning, Ensemble Seicentonovecento set out to challenge traditional approaches to early music performance. The group's members were all highly trained musicians with a deep understanding of historical performance practices, but they also sought to bring a fresh perspective to this repertoire. They experimented with different instrumental combinations, tempos, and articulations, and they were not afraid to take risks in their interpretations. One of the ensemble's early highlights was its performance at the Festival de Musique Baroque de Pontoise in France in 2000. The group's performance of works by Antonio Vivaldi and Georg Philipp Telemann was praised for its energy, precision, and innovative approach. This performance helped to establish Ensemble Seicentonovecento as a rising star in the early music world. Over the years, Ensemble Seicentonovecento has continued to push the boundaries of early music performance. The group has collaborated with a wide range of musicians and artists, including dancers, actors, and visual artists. They have also commissioned new works and arrangements, and have premiered several pieces by contemporary composers. One of the ensemble's most notable collaborations was with the Italian choreographer and dancer Virgilio Sieni. In 2010, Ensemble Seicentonovecento provided the live music for Sieni's production of "Orfeo ed Euridice" at the Teatro Comunale di Firenze. The production was praised for its seamless integration of music and dance, and it showcased the ensemble's versatility and adaptability. Ensemble Seicentonovecento has also been recognized for its recordings. The group's debut album, "Concerti per violino e archi," was released in 2001 and received critical acclaim. The album featured works by Vivaldi, Tomaso Albinoni, and Francesco Maria Veracini, and showcased the ensemble's virtuosity and expressive range. Since then, the group has released several more albums, including "Bach: Concerti per clavicembalo e archi" and "Handel: Concerti grossi op. 6." In addition to its performances and recordings, Ensemble Seicentonovecento has also been recognized with several awards and honors. In 2003, the group was awarded the prestigious Premio Abbiati, which is considered one of the highest honors in the Italian classical music world. The award recognized the ensemble's "innovative and intelligent approach to early music performance." Ensemble Seicentonovecento has also been praised for its educational outreach efforts. The group has conducted workshops and masterclasses for students and young musicians, and has worked to promote early music to new audiences.

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