Period

:

Renaissance

 

 

Baroque

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Accademia Strumentale Italiana is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1984 by its current artistic director, Alberto Rasi. The ensemble is based in Mantua, Italy, and is known for its performances of Baroque and Classical music on period instruments. The ensemble's founding was inspired by Rasi's passion for historically informed performance practice, which seeks to recreate the sound and style of music from past eras using instruments and techniques that were common at the time. Rasi assembled a group of like-minded musicians who shared his vision, and together they formed Accademia Strumentale Italiana. The ensemble's main members are a core group of instrumentalists who perform together regularly, as well as a roster of guest artists who join them for specific projects. The core group includes Rasi himself on violin, as well as other accomplished musicians such as Paolo Grazzi on oboe, Luca Guglielmi on harpsichord, and Marco Testori on cello. Accademia Strumentale Italiana has performed extensively throughout Italy and Europe, as well as in North and South America and Asia. The ensemble has been featured at major festivals such as the Salzburg Festival, the Edinburgh International Festival, and the Boston Early Music Festival, and has collaborated with renowned conductors and soloists such as Jordi Savall, Christophe Coin, and Giuliano Carmignola. One of the ensemble's most notable performances was its 1999 concert at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, where they performed a program of Baroque music by Vivaldi, Corelli, and Handel. The concert was well-received by both audiences and critics, and helped to establish Accademia Strumentale Italiana as one of the leading ensembles in the field of historically informed performance. Accademia Strumentale Italiana has also been recognized for its recordings, which have received critical acclaim and numerous awards. The ensemble's recording of Vivaldi's Four Seasons, featuring soloist Giuliano Carmignola, won the Diapason d'Or award in 2003, and their recording of Handel's Water Music was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2010. In addition to their performances and recordings, Accademia Strumentale Italiana is also committed to education and outreach. The ensemble regularly offers masterclasses and workshops for young musicians, and has collaborated with schools and community organizations to bring classical music to a wider audience. Overall, Accademia Strumentale Italiana has established itself as a leading ensemble in the field of historically informed performance, known for its virtuosic playing and commitment to authenticity and musical excellence. With a dedicated core group of musicians and a roster of talented guest artists, the ensemble continues to inspire audiences around the world with its performances of Baroque and Classical music on period instruments.

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