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Ensemble

 

Opera Lafayette Orchestra is a classical music ensemble that specializes in the performance of French Baroque opera. The orchestra was founded in 1995 by conductor Ryan Brown, who sought to revive the neglected repertoire of French Baroque opera and bring it to a wider audience. Since its founding, Opera Lafayette Orchestra has become one of the leading ensembles in the field of Baroque opera, known for its innovative programming, high-quality performances, and commitment to historical authenticity. The main members of Opera Lafayette Orchestra are its conductor and founder, Ryan Brown, and its principal players, who are drawn from some of the finest period-instrument ensembles in the world. These include violinist Cynthia Roberts, cellist James Wilson, and harpsichordist Andrew Appel, among others. The orchestra also collaborates with a number of leading vocal soloists, including sopranos Dominique Labelle and Nathalie Paulin, tenor Robert Getchell, and baritone William Sharp. One of the highlights of Opera Lafayette Orchestra's early years was its 1997 performance of Jean-Philippe Rameau's opera "Les Indes Galantes" at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The performance was a critical and commercial success, and helped to establish the orchestra's reputation as a leading interpreter of French Baroque opera. Since then, Opera Lafayette Orchestra has performed at some of the most prestigious venues in the United States and Europe, including Carnegie Hall, the Lincoln Center, the Royal Opera House in Versailles, and the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris. In addition to its performances, Opera Lafayette Orchestra has also been recognized for its recordings. The orchestra's 2005 recording of Rameau's "Les Fêtes d'Hébé" was nominated for a Grammy Award, and its 2010 recording of Christoph Willibald Gluck's "Armide" was named one of the best classical recordings of the year by The New York Times. The orchestra has also received numerous awards and grants, including support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the French-American Cultural Exchange. One of the unique aspects of Opera Lafayette Orchestra's approach to Baroque opera is its commitment to historical authenticity. The orchestra uses period instruments and follows historical performance practices in order to recreate the sound and style of the original performances. This approach has been praised by critics and audiences alike, who appreciate the orchestra's ability to bring the music to life in a way that is both historically accurate and emotionally engaging. Another important aspect of Opera Lafayette Orchestra's work is its dedication to the rediscovery of neglected repertoire. The orchestra has performed a number of operas that had not been heard in centuries, including André Campra's "Le Carnaval de Venise" and Jean-Joseph Cassanéa de Mondonville's "Titon et l'Aurore." By bringing these works back to the stage, Opera Lafayette Orchestra has helped to expand the repertoire of Baroque opera and introduce audiences to new and exciting music. Overall, Opera Lafayette Orchestra is a unique and important ensemble in the world of classical music. Its commitment to historical authenticity, dedication to neglected repertoire, and high-quality performances have made it a favorite of critics and audiences alike.

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