Role

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Ensemble

Genre

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Chamber

 

Parthenia Viol Consort is a renowned classical music ensemble that specializes in the performance of early music. The group was founded in 1999 by four accomplished musicians, Rosamund Morley, Beverly Au, Lawrence Lipnik, and Lisa Terry, who shared a passion for the rich and diverse repertoire of music written for the viola da gamba, a Renaissance and Baroque instrument that is similar to a cello but has six strings and frets. The members of Parthenia Viol Consort are all highly trained and experienced musicians who have performed with some of the most prestigious early music ensembles in the world, including the Boston Camerata, the New York Collegium, and the Waverly Consort. They have also collaborated with many renowned soloists, such as soprano Julianne Baird and lutenist Paul O'Dette. The name "Parthenia" is derived from a collection of keyboard music that was published in London in 1612, which included works by some of the most famous composers of the time, such as William Byrd, John Bull, and Orlando Gibbons. The collection was dedicated to the young Princess Elizabeth, who was the daughter of King James I and Queen Anne of Denmark, and was intended to showcase the finest examples of English keyboard music. Parthenia Viol Consort has performed extensively throughout the United States and Europe, and has been praised for its virtuosic playing, sensitive interpretations, and innovative programming. The group has also recorded several critically acclaimed albums, including "The Food of Love: Songs, Dances, and Fancies for Shakespeare," which features music from the plays of William Shakespeare, and "Les Voix Humaines: Music for Two Viols," which showcases the rich and expressive sound of the viola da gamba in duet repertoire. One of the highlights of Parthenia Viol Consort's career was its performance at the Boston Early Music Festival in 2003, which is one of the largest and most prestigious early music festivals in the world. The group was invited to perform a program of music by the French composer Marin Marais, which included some of his most famous works, such as the Suite in D minor and the Tombeau de Monsieur de Sainte-Colombe. The performance was widely praised for its technical brilliance, emotional depth, and historical authenticity, and helped to establish Parthenia Viol Consort as one of the leading early music ensembles in the United States. Another notable achievement of Parthenia Viol Consort was its collaboration with the renowned choreographer Mark Morris, who is known for his innovative and eclectic approach to dance. The group worked with Morris on several productions, including "Dido and Aeneas," which is a baroque opera by Henry Purcell that tells the tragic story of the love between the Queen of Carthage and the Trojan hero. The production featured live music by Parthenia Viol Consort, as well as a cast of dancers and singers, and was hailed as a triumph of interdisciplinary collaboration. Parthenia Viol Consort has also received numerous awards and accolades for its contributions to the field of early music. In 2005, the group was awarded the prestigious CMA/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming, which recognizes ensembles that demonstrate a commitment to innovative and diverse programming. The award was given in recognition of Parthenia Viol Consort's imaginative and engaging programs, which often combine music from different historical periods and cultures.

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