Role

:

Ensemble

Country

:

Germany

Period

:

Baroque

 

 

Classical

Genre

:

Choral

 

The South German Madrigal Choir & Consortium Musicum is a renowned classical music ensemble that has been captivating audiences with their exceptional performances for over six decades. The group was founded in 1953 by the German conductor and musicologist, Wolfgang Gönnenwein, who was passionate about reviving the music of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Gönnenwein's vision was to create a choir that would specialize in the performance of early music, particularly the madrigals of the 16th and 17th centuries. He assembled a group of talented singers and musicians from the Stuttgart area, and the South German Madrigal Choir was born. The choir quickly gained a reputation for their exceptional performances, and they soon began to attract attention from music lovers and critics alike. In 1956, they were invited to perform at the prestigious Salzburg Festival, where they received critical acclaim for their performance of Monteverdi's "Vespro della Beata Vergine." Over the years, the South German Madrigal Choir has continued to perform at major music festivals and concert halls around the world. They have collaborated with some of the most renowned conductors and soloists in the classical music world, including Sir Neville Marriner, Helmuth Rilling, and Andreas Scholl. One of the highlights of the choir's career was their performance of Bach's "St. Matthew Passion" at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig, Germany, in 2000. This was a particularly significant performance, as it was the first time that a non-German choir had been invited to perform this iconic work in the church where Bach himself had served as cantor. The South German Madrigal Choir has also been recognized for their exceptional recordings. They have won numerous awards for their recordings of works by Bach, Handel, and Monteverdi, among others. In 1991, they were awarded the prestigious Echo Klassik award for their recording of Bach's "Mass in B Minor." In addition to their work with the South German Madrigal Choir, many of the members of the ensemble are also members of the Consortium Musicum, a chamber orchestra that specializes in the performance of early music. The Consortium Musicum was founded in 1968 by Gönnenwein, and they have since become one of the most respected early music ensembles in the world. The Consortium Musicum has collaborated with many of the same conductors and soloists as the South German Madrigal Choir, and they have also been recognized for their exceptional recordings. In 1985, they were awarded the Grand Prix du Disque for their recording of Handel's "Messiah." Throughout their long and illustrious career, the South German Madrigal Choir & Consortium Musicum have remained true to their mission of bringing the music of the Renaissance and Baroque periods to life for modern audiences. Their exceptional performances and recordings have earned them a place among the most respected classical music ensembles in the world, and their legacy continues to inspire new generations of musicians and music lovers.

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