Voces Suaves is a Swiss classical music ensemble that specializes in performing music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The ensemble was founded in 2005 by a group of young musicians who shared a passion for early music and a desire to explore the rich repertoire of vocal and instrumental music from the 16th and 17th centuries. The founding members of Voces Suaves were all graduates of the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, a renowned music conservatory in Basel, Switzerland, that specializes in early music. The ensemble's core members include sopranos Maria Cristina Kiehr and Olivia Vermeulen, tenor Jan Börner, and bass-baritone Tobias Wicky. The ensemble is often joined by a variety of instrumentalists, including lutenists, viola da gamba players, and harpsichordists. Since its founding, Voces Suaves has become one of the most respected early music ensembles in Europe, known for its impeccable musicianship, innovative programming, and engaging performances. The ensemble has performed at major festivals and concert halls throughout Europe, including the Festival Oude Muziek in Utrecht, the Tage Alter Musik in Regensburg, and the Wigmore Hall in London. One of the highlights of Voces Suaves' career was its performance at the 2014 Festival Oude Muziek in Utrecht, where the ensemble presented a program of music by the Italian composer Claudio Monteverdi. The performance was widely praised for its expressive singing, sensitive interpretation, and virtuosic instrumental playing. The ensemble's recording of Monteverdi's madrigals, released in 2015 on the Alpha Classics label, was also highly acclaimed, receiving a Diapason d'Or award and a Gramophone Editor's Choice award. Another notable performance by Voces Suaves was its 2017 concert at the Tage Alter Musik in Regensburg, where the ensemble presented a program of music by the German composer Heinrich Schütz. The performance was praised for its clarity, precision, and emotional depth, and was described by one critic as "a revelation of the beauty and power of Schütz's music." In addition to its performances, Voces Suaves is also known for its innovative programming, which often combines music from different periods and styles to create a unique and compelling musical experience. For example, the ensemble's 2019 program "Echoes of the North" combined music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods with traditional folk music from Scandinavia, creating a fascinating blend of old and new, high and low. Voces Suaves has received numerous awards and accolades for its performances and recordings. In addition to the Diapason d'Or and Gramophone Editor's Choice awards mentioned above, the ensemble has also received the Echo Klassik award, the Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik, and the International Classical Music Award. Overall, Voces Suaves is a remarkable ensemble that has made a significant contribution to the world of early music. With its impeccable musicianship, innovative programming, and engaging performances, the ensemble has won the hearts of audiences and critics alike, and has established itself as one of the leading ensembles in the field.

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