Genre

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Choral

 

Pomerium is a classical music ensemble that specializes in the performance of Renaissance polyphony. The group was founded in 1972 by Alexander Blachly, a musicologist and conductor who had previously worked with the New York Pro Musica Antiqua and the Gregg Smith Singers. Blachly's vision for Pomerium was to create a vocal ensemble that would perform the music of the Renaissance with a historically informed approach. This meant using period instruments and techniques, as well as researching the original performance practices of the time. The ensemble's name, Pomerium, comes from the Latin word for the sacred boundary that surrounded ancient Rome. In the Renaissance, this term was used to refer to the boundary between the sacred and the secular, which was often blurred in the music of the time. Pomerium's core membership consists of eight singers, although the group often expands to include additional performers for larger works. The ensemble's singers are all highly trained in the art of Renaissance polyphony, and many of them have backgrounds in early music performance. Over the years, Pomerium has become known for its innovative programming and its commitment to exploring lesser-known works from the Renaissance repertoire. The group has also been praised for its technical precision and its ability to bring the music of the past to life in a way that is both historically accurate and emotionally engaging. One of Pomerium's most notable performances was its 1995 concert at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, which was part of the museum's "Art and Music in the Age of Exploration" series. The concert featured music from the Spanish Renaissance, including works by composers such as Francisco Guerrero and Tomás Luis de Victoria. Another highlight of Pomerium's career was its 2002 performance at the Boston Early Music Festival, which is one of the largest early music festivals in the world. The ensemble's program for the festival included works by Josquin des Prez, Orlando di Lasso, and other Renaissance masters. Pomerium has also been recognized for its recordings, which have received critical acclaim and numerous awards. The group's 1994 album, "Music from the Peterhouse Partbooks," won the prestigious Gramophone Award for Early Music, and its 2005 album, "The Mirror of Monteverdi," was nominated for a Grammy Award. In addition to its performances and recordings, Pomerium has also been involved in educational outreach programs, including workshops and masterclasses for students and amateur musicians. The group has worked with organizations such as the Yale Institute of Sacred Music and the Amherst Early Music Festival to promote the study and performance of Renaissance polyphony. Overall, Pomerium has established itself as one of the premier ensembles in the field of early music performance. With its commitment to historical accuracy and its passion for bringing the music of the past to life, the group has inspired countless musicians and audiences around the world.

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