Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

Capella Agostino Steffani is a classical music ensemble that specializes in the performance of Baroque music. The ensemble was founded in 2008 by conductor and harpsichordist Léon Berben, with the aim of exploring the music of the Italian composer Agostino Steffani (1654-1728) and his contemporaries. Steffani was a highly influential composer and diplomat in the Baroque era, who worked in various courts across Europe and was known for his operas, cantatas, and sacred music. Despite his importance, his music had largely been forgotten until the 20th century, when scholars and musicians began to rediscover and appreciate his work. Capella Agostino Steffani consists of a core group of musicians who specialize in historically informed performance practice, using period instruments and techniques to recreate the sound and style of Baroque music. The ensemble's members include Léon Berben on harpsichord, Anne-Kathryn Olsen and Dorothee Mields on soprano, Terry Wey on countertenor, Jan Kobow on tenor, and Stephan MacLeod on bass. Since its founding, Capella Agostino Steffani has performed extensively throughout Europe and North America, appearing at major festivals and concert halls such as the Festival Oude Muziek in Utrecht, the Boston Early Music Festival, and the Wigmore Hall in London. The ensemble has also released several critically acclaimed recordings, including a complete set of Steffani's vocal music on the Harmonia Mundi label. One of the highlights of Capella Agostino Steffani's career was their performance of Steffani's opera "Niobe, Regina di Tebe" at the Festival Oude Muziek in Utrecht in 2011. The opera, which had not been performed in over 300 years, was reconstructed by musicologist Colin Timms and presented in a semi-staged production with the ensemble and a cast of international soloists. The performance was widely praised for its musical and dramatic impact, and was later released on DVD by the Accent label. Capella Agostino Steffani has also received numerous awards and accolades for their recordings and performances. In 2012, their recording of Steffani's "Stabat Mater" won the Diapason d'Or de l'Année award, and their recording of his "Duetti da Camera" was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2015. The ensemble has also been praised for their innovative programming and collaborations with other artists, such as their performance of Bach's "St. John Passion" with the choreographer Sasha Waltz and her dance company. Overall, Capella Agostino Steffani has established itself as one of the leading ensembles in the field of Baroque music, with a particular focus on the music of Agostino Steffani and his contemporaries. Through their performances and recordings, they have helped to bring this important composer back into the spotlight and to showcase the beauty and richness of Baroque music to audiences around the world.

More....