Role

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Ensemble

 

Retrospect Ensemble is a classical music ensemble that specializes in performing music from the Baroque and Classical periods. The ensemble was founded in 2009 by Matthew Halls, a British conductor and harpsichordist. Halls had previously worked with a number of other early music ensembles, including the King's Consort and the English Concert. The founding of Retrospect Ensemble was motivated by Halls' desire to create a group that would focus on performing lesser-known works from the Baroque and Classical periods. Halls felt that many of these works were underappreciated and deserved to be heard by a wider audience. He also wanted to create a group that would be flexible and adaptable, able to perform in a variety of different settings and with different instrumentation. The ensemble's main members are drawn from a pool of talented musicians from around the world. These include both established performers and up-and-coming musicians. The ensemble's core members include Matthew Halls (harpsichord), Sophie Gent (violin), Matthew Truscott (violin), Jonathan Manson (cello), and Lynda Sayce (lute). However, the ensemble often expands or contracts depending on the needs of a particular performance. Retrospect Ensemble has performed at a number of prestigious venues and festivals around the world. These include the Wigmore Hall in London, the Edinburgh International Festival, and the Boston Early Music Festival. The ensemble has also collaborated with a number of other musicians and ensembles, including the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. One of the highlights of Retrospect Ensemble's career was their performance of Handel's opera "Teseo" at the Boston Early Music Festival in 2011. The performance was widely praised for its energy, precision, and musicality. The ensemble was also awarded the prestigious Gramophone Award for Best Baroque Vocal Recording in 2012 for their recording of Handel's "Jephtha" with the Choir of the King's Consort. Retrospect Ensemble is known for their innovative and engaging performances, which often incorporate elements of theater and dance. They are also committed to promoting the works of lesser-known composers from the Baroque and Classical periods. Through their performances and recordings, they have helped to bring these works to a wider audience and to showcase the richness and diversity of early music.

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