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Concerto

 

Accademia Bizantina is a renowned Italian classical music ensemble that specializes in the performance of Baroque and early classical music. The ensemble was founded in 1983 by Ottavio Dantone, a harpsichordist and conductor, who remains its artistic director to this day. The ensemble takes its name from the Byzantine Empire, which was known for its rich cultural heritage and artistic achievements. The founding of Accademia Bizantina was a response to the growing interest in historically informed performance practices, which sought to recreate the sound and style of music from earlier periods. Dantone, who had studied with renowned harpsichordist Gustav Leonhardt, was a leading figure in this movement and sought to create an ensemble that would be dedicated to exploring the music of the Baroque and early classical periods. The ensemble's core members are a group of highly skilled musicians who specialize in playing period instruments, such as the harpsichord, violin, viola, cello, and bass. Over the years, the ensemble has expanded its repertoire to include works by composers from the Classical and Romantic periods, but its focus remains on the music of the Baroque era. Accademia Bizantina has performed at some of the world's most prestigious concert halls and festivals, including the Salzburg Festival, the Edinburgh International Festival, and the BBC Proms. The ensemble has also collaborated with some of the world's leading soloists, including mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli, violinist Viktoria Mullova, and cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras. One of the highlights of Accademia Bizantina's career was its performance of Handel's opera Giulio Cesare at the Salzburg Festival in 2012. The production, which was directed by Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier, received critical acclaim for its innovative staging and the ensemble's virtuosic playing. The production was later released on DVD and has become a popular recording among classical music enthusiasts. Accademia Bizantina has also received numerous awards and accolades for its recordings. The ensemble's recording of Vivaldi's Four Seasons, which was released in 2000, was a commercial and critical success and helped to establish the ensemble's reputation as one of the leading interpreters of Baroque music. The ensemble has also received several awards from the prestigious German recording label Deutsche Grammophon, including the Echo Klassik Award for Best Baroque Ensemble in 2011. In addition to its performances and recordings, Accademia Bizantina is also committed to education and outreach. The ensemble regularly conducts masterclasses and workshops for young musicians and has established a residency program in the Italian town of Ravenna, where it is based. The residency program provides young musicians with the opportunity to study and perform with the ensemble and to gain valuable experience in historically informed performance practices. Accademia Bizantina's commitment to excellence and innovation has made it one of the most respected and admired classical music ensembles in the world. Its performances and recordings have helped to bring the music of the Baroque era to a wider audience and to inspire a new generation of musicians to explore the rich cultural heritage of the past.

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