Pacific MusicWorks Orchestra is a Seattle-based classical music ensemble that was founded in 2009 by Stephen Stubbs, a renowned lutenist, conductor, and musicologist. The ensemble is dedicated to performing music from the Baroque and early Classical periods, with a particular focus on the works of Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel. Stephen Stubbs, who serves as the artistic director and conductor of Pacific MusicWorks Orchestra, is a highly respected figure in the world of early music. He has performed with many of the world's leading Baroque ensembles, including the English Concert, the Academy of Ancient Music, and the Boston Early Music Festival Orchestra. He has also conducted numerous operas and oratorios, including Handel's "Messiah" and "Acis and Galatea," and Monteverdi's "L'Orfeo." The other members of Pacific MusicWorks Orchestra are equally accomplished musicians, many of whom have performed with other leading early music ensembles. These include Maxine Eilander (harp), Tekla Cunningham (violin), Joanna Blendulf (cello), and Henry Lebedinsky (harpsichord). Since its founding, Pacific MusicWorks Orchestra has performed at many of the most prestigious concert halls and festivals in the United States and Europe. Some of the ensemble's most notable performances include a concert at the Boston Early Music Festival in 2011, where they performed Handel's "Acis and Galatea" to critical acclaim. The ensemble has also performed at the Berkeley Early Music Festival, the Seattle Early Music Guild, and the Vancouver Early Music Festival. In addition to its live performances, Pacific MusicWorks Orchestra has also released several recordings, including a critically acclaimed album of Handel's "Messiah" in 2014. The album, which features the ensemble's signature blend of historically informed performance practices and modern musical sensibilities, was praised by critics for its clarity, precision, and emotional depth. Over the years, Pacific MusicWorks Orchestra has received numerous awards and accolades for its performances and recordings. In 2012, the ensemble was awarded the prestigious Early Music America/Naxos Recording Competition Prize for its recording of Handel's "Acis and Galatea." The following year, the ensemble was named "Best Classical Music Group" by Seattle Weekly. Despite its many achievements, Pacific MusicWorks Orchestra remains committed to its mission of bringing the music of the Baroque and early Classical periods to a wider audience. Through its performances, recordings, and educational programs, the ensemble seeks to inspire a new generation of musicians and music lovers to appreciate the beauty and complexity of this rich musical tradition.

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