Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Renaissance

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Vocal

 

Convivium Vocale is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1999 by the Belgian conductor Philippe Herreweghe. The ensemble is known for its performances of Baroque and Renaissance music, as well as its interpretations of the works of Johann Sebastian Bach. Philippe Herreweghe was born in Ghent, Belgium in 1947. He studied at the Royal Conservatory of Ghent and later at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Switzerland. In 1970, he founded the Collegium Vocale Gent, which quickly gained a reputation for its performances of Baroque and Renaissance music. Herreweghe's interest in historically informed performance practices led him to found Convivium Vocale in 1999. The ensemble's name, Convivium Vocale, is derived from the Latin words "convivium" (meaning "feast" or "banquet") and "vocale" (meaning "vocal"). The name reflects the ensemble's focus on vocal music and its commitment to creating a musical feast for its audiences. Convivium Vocale is made up of a core group of singers and instrumentalists, many of whom have been with the ensemble since its founding. The ensemble's members come from a variety of countries, including Belgium, Germany, France, and the Netherlands. One of the highlights of Convivium Vocale's early years was its performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion in 2000. The performance, which took place in the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Brussels, was widely praised for its emotional intensity and its adherence to historically informed performance practices. In 2001, Convivium Vocale released its first recording, a collection of Bach cantatas titled "Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis." The recording was well-received by critics and helped to establish the ensemble's reputation as one of the leading interpreters of Bach's music. Over the years, Convivium Vocale has performed at some of the world's most prestigious concert halls and music festivals. The ensemble has appeared at the Salzburg Festival, the Edinburgh International Festival, and the BBC Proms, among others. In 2007, Convivium Vocale was awarded the Echo Klassik award for its recording of Bach's Mass in B Minor. The award, which is one of the most prestigious in the classical music world, recognizes outstanding achievements in the recording industry. Another highlight of Convivium Vocale's career was its performance of Bach's Christmas Oratorio in 2010. The performance, which took place at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, was praised for its clarity and precision, as well as its emotional depth. Convivium Vocale has also collaborated with a number of other musicians and ensembles over the years. In 2012, the ensemble performed Bach's St. John Passion with the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra, under the direction of Pablo Heras-Casado. The performance was widely praised for its energy and passion. In addition to its performances and recordings, Convivium Vocale is also committed to music education. The ensemble regularly holds workshops and masterclasses for young musicians, and has established a scholarship program to support talented young singers and instrumentalists. Today, Convivium Vocale continues to be one of the leading ensembles in the classical music world. Its commitment to historically informed performance practices, combined with its emotional depth and technical precision, have made it a favorite of audiences and critics alike.

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