Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Classical

Genre

:

Chamber

 

L'Astrée is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 2012 by a group of young musicians who shared a passion for Baroque music. The ensemble takes its name from the pastoral romance novel "L'Astrée" by Honoré d'Urfé, which was popular in the 17th century and reflects the group's interest in the music of that era. The founding members of L'Astrée were all graduates of the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris, and included violinists Ryo Terakado and David Plantier, violist Hélène Chevallier, cellist Atsushi Sakaï, and harpsichordist Bertrand Cuiller. The ensemble's core members have remained largely the same since its founding, with occasional guest performers joining for specific projects. L'Astrée has gained a reputation for its historically informed performances of Baroque music, using period instruments and techniques to recreate the sound and style of the era. The ensemble has performed extensively throughout Europe and Asia, and has collaborated with a number of prominent soloists and conductors. One of L'Astrée's early highlights was its performance at the Festival de Musique Baroque de Pontoise in 2013, where the ensemble presented a program of works by Jean-Philippe Rameau. The performance was praised for its energy and precision, and helped to establish L'Astrée as a rising star in the world of Baroque music. In 2014, L'Astrée released its debut album, "Les caractères de la danse," which featured works by Jean-Baptiste Lully, Marin Marais, and other composers of the French Baroque. The album received critical acclaim and was nominated for a number of awards, including the prestigious Gramophone Classical Music Award. Since then, L'Astrée has continued to perform and record extensively, with highlights including a performance of Bach's "Brandenburg Concerto No. 5" with the Orchestre National de France in 2016, and a collaboration with soprano Sandrine Piau on the album "Si j'ai aimé" in 2018. In addition to its performances and recordings, L'Astrée is also committed to education and outreach, and has conducted workshops and masterclasses for young musicians in France and Japan. The ensemble's members are passionate about sharing their love of Baroque music with the next generation, and are dedicated to preserving and promoting this rich musical tradition. Overall, L'Astrée has established itself as one of the leading ensembles in the world of Baroque music, with a reputation for excellence and a commitment to authenticity and innovation. The ensemble's members continue to push the boundaries of their art form, exploring new repertoire and collaborating with other musicians and artists to create exciting and dynamic performances.

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