Concerto Melante is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1985 by the German violinist and conductor, Christoph Poppen. The ensemble is known for its innovative and dynamic performances of Baroque and Classical music, and has gained a reputation as one of the leading ensembles in the world. The founding of Concerto Melante was the result of Poppen's desire to create a chamber orchestra that would be dedicated to the performance of Baroque and Classical music. Poppen had already established himself as a prominent violinist and conductor, having worked with some of the most prestigious orchestras in Europe, including the Berlin Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestra. Poppen's vision for Concerto Melante was to create an ensemble that would be characterized by its flexibility and versatility. He wanted the ensemble to be able to perform a wide range of repertoire, from the Baroque works of Bach and Handel to the Classical works of Mozart and Haydn. To achieve this goal, Poppen assembled a group of musicians who were not only highly skilled in their respective instruments, but who also shared his passion for Baroque and Classical music. The ensemble's core members included violinists Rainer Kussmaul and Thomas Zehetmair, violist Tabea Zimmermann, cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras, and harpsichordist Andreas Staier. Concerto Melante made its debut performance in 1985 at the Schwetzingen Festival in Germany, where it performed works by Bach and Handel. The ensemble's performance was met with critical acclaim, and it quickly established itself as one of the leading ensembles in the world. Over the years, Concerto Melante has performed at some of the most prestigious venues and festivals in the world, including the Salzburg Festival, the Edinburgh Festival, and the BBC Proms. The ensemble has also collaborated with some of the most renowned soloists in the world, including pianist Mitsuko Uchida, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter. One of the highlights of Concerto Melante's career was its performance of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos at the Salzburg Festival in 1999. The ensemble's performance was hailed as a triumph, and it was subsequently released on CD to critical acclaim. In addition to its performances, Concerto Melante has also received numerous awards and accolades over the years. In 1992, the ensemble was awarded the Echo Klassik Award for its recording of Mozart's Violin Concertos. The ensemble has also been nominated for several Grammy Awards, including Best Classical Album and Best Chamber Music Performance. Despite its success, Concerto Melante has remained true to its founding principles of flexibility and versatility. The ensemble continues to explore new repertoire and to collaborate with a wide range of soloists and musicians. Its commitment to excellence and innovation has made it one of the most respected and admired ensembles in the world of classical music.

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