Lorelei Ensemble is a Boston-based classical music ensemble that was founded in 2007. The group is made up of nine female vocalists who specialize in performing contemporary classical music, as well as music from the medieval and Renaissance periods. The ensemble was founded by Beth Willer, who serves as the group's artistic director. Willer is a conductor and composer who has worked with a number of prestigious ensembles, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Tanglewood Festival Chorus. She founded Lorelei Ensemble with the goal of creating a group that would showcase the unique sound of women's voices in classical music. The ensemble's members are all highly trained vocalists who have studied at some of the top music schools in the United States. They include sopranos Christina English, Sophie Michaux, and Clare McNamara; mezzo-sopranos Stephanie Kacoyanis and Sonja Tengblad; altos Emily Marvosh and Sarah Brailey; and tenors Jason McStoots and Sumner Thompson. Since its founding, Lorelei Ensemble has become known for its innovative programming and its commitment to performing works by contemporary composers. The group has commissioned and premiered works by a number of composers, including David Lang, Julia Wolfe, and Caroline Shaw, who won the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2013. One of the ensemble's most notable performances was its 2015 concert at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. The concert, titled "Breaking Boundaries," featured works by female composers from the medieval period to the present day. The ensemble performed works by Hildegard von Bingen, Barbara Strozzi, Fanny Mendelssohn, and Meredith Monk, among others. Lorelei Ensemble has also performed at a number of prestigious venues and festivals, including the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., the Lincoln Center Festival in New York City, and the Spoleto Festival USA in Charleston, South Carolina. The group has collaborated with a number of other ensembles and musicians, including the Boston Modern Orchestra Project, the Handel and Haydn Society, and the Grammy-winning vocal ensemble Roomful of Teeth. In addition to its performances, Lorelei Ensemble has also received a number of awards and accolades. The group was named "Ensemble of the Year" by Musical America in 2018, and has been praised by critics for its "dazzling virtuosity" and "exquisite blend of voices." The ensemble has also released several recordings, including its 2018 album "Impermanence," which features works by contemporary composers. Overall, Lorelei Ensemble has established itself as one of the leading classical music ensembles in the United States. With its innovative programming, commitment to contemporary music, and exceptional vocal talent, the group has earned a reputation as a trailblazer in the world of classical music.

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