Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Renaissance

 

 

Baroque

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Vocal

 

A Deux Violes Esgales is a classical music ensemble that specializes in the performance of French Baroque music. The ensemble was founded in 1992 by two musicians, Florence Bolton and Friederike Heumann, who shared a passion for the viola da gamba, a stringed instrument that was popular in the Baroque era. Florence Bolton was born in France and began playing the viola da gamba at the age of 12. She studied at the Conservatoire National de Région de Paris and later at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Switzerland. Friederike Heumann was born in Germany and also began playing the viola da gamba at a young age. She studied at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg and later at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis. The two musicians met while studying at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis and quickly discovered a shared love for French Baroque music. They decided to form a duo and named it A Deux Violes Esgales, which means "two equal viols" in French. The ensemble's repertoire consists primarily of music from the French Baroque period, including works by composers such as Marin Marais, Antoine Forqueray, and Jean-Baptiste Lully. The viola da gamba was a popular instrument during this time, and A Deux Violes Esgales seeks to recreate the sound and style of the period through their performances. A Deux Violes Esgales has performed extensively throughout Europe and North America, and has received critical acclaim for their performances. In 1996, the ensemble won the first prize at the International Early Music Competition in Bruges, Belgium. They have also been featured on numerous recordings, including their debut album, "Marin Marais: Pièces de Viole du Second Livre," which was released in 1995. One of the highlights of A Deux Violes Esgales' career was their performance at the 2000 Boston Early Music Festival. The festival is one of the largest early music events in the world, and A Deux Violes Esgales was invited to perform as part of the festival's main concert series. Their performance was widely praised by critics and helped to establish the ensemble as one of the leading interpreters of French Baroque music. In addition to their performances, A Deux Violes Esgales is also committed to education and outreach. The ensemble has conducted masterclasses and workshops for students and young musicians, and has worked with organizations such as the Juilliard School and the Royal Conservatory of The Hague. Today, A Deux Violes Esgales continues to perform and record, and remains one of the most respected ensembles in the field of early music. Their dedication to the viola da gamba and the music of the French Baroque period has helped to preserve and promote this important musical tradition for future generations.

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