Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

Concerto Vocale is a renowned classical music ensemble that has been captivating audiences with its exceptional performances for over four decades. The ensemble was founded in 1977 by the Belgian conductor and countertenor, René Jacobs, who remains its artistic director to this day. Jacobs, who had previously worked with the Collegium Vocale Gent, wanted to create a new ensemble that would focus on the performance of early music, particularly the works of Johann Sebastian Bach. He assembled a group of talented musicians who shared his passion for historically informed performance and began rehearsing in his apartment in Brussels. The ensemble's first public performance was in 1978 at the Festival of Flanders in Bruges, where they performed Bach's St. John Passion. The performance was a resounding success, and Concerto Vocale quickly gained a reputation as one of the leading ensembles in the early music movement. Over the years, Concerto Vocale has undergone several changes in its membership, but its commitment to historically informed performance has remained constant. The ensemble's core members include René Jacobs, who sings countertenor and conducts, and the tenor Gerd Türk, who has been with the ensemble since its early days. Concerto Vocale has performed at some of the world's most prestigious concert halls and festivals, including the Salzburg Festival, the Edinburgh International Festival, and the Berlin Philharmonic. The ensemble has also collaborated with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic, and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. One of the highlights of Concerto Vocale's career was their performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion at the 2000 Salzburg Festival. The performance was widely acclaimed, with critics praising the ensemble's "exquisite musicianship" and "deeply moving interpretation." The performance was later released on CD and DVD and has become one of the ensemble's most celebrated recordings. Concerto Vocale has also received numerous awards and accolades for their recordings. In 1999, their recording of Bach's Mass in B Minor won the Gramophone Award for Best Baroque Vocal Recording. The ensemble has also won several Echo Klassik Awards, including one in 2012 for their recording of Handel's Messiah. In addition to their performances and recordings, Concerto Vocale is also committed to education and outreach. The ensemble regularly conducts masterclasses and workshops for young musicians, and they have also established a scholarship program to support young singers and instrumentalists. In conclusion, Concerto Vocale is a world-renowned classical music ensemble that has made a significant contribution to the early music movement. Their commitment to historically informed performance and their exceptional musicianship have earned them a place among the world's leading ensembles. With René Jacobs at the helm, Concerto Vocale continues to inspire audiences with their performances and recordings, and their legacy is sure to endure for many years to come.

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