Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Baroque

Genre

:

Choral

 

Parthenia Vocal is a classical music ensemble that specializes in the performance of early music. The ensemble was founded in 1999 by four musicians who shared a passion for the music of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The founding members of Parthenia Vocal were Rosamund Morley (soprano), Beverly Au (mezzo-soprano), Timothy Leigh Evans (tenor), and Lawrence Lipnik (bass). The name "Parthenia" is derived from a collection of keyboard music published in 1612 by the English composer John Bull. The collection was titled "Parthenia, or the Maydenhead of the First Musicke that ever was printed for the Virginalls." The name was chosen to reflect the ensemble's focus on early music and its commitment to performing music that is rarely heard in modern times. Parthenia Vocal has since expanded to include a number of other musicians, including instrumentalists who specialize in period instruments such as the viola da gamba, lute, and harpsichord. The ensemble's repertoire includes music from the 12th to the 18th centuries, with a particular emphasis on the music of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. One of the highlights of Parthenia Vocal's career was its performance at the Boston Early Music Festival in 2003. The festival is one of the largest and most prestigious early music festivals in the world, and Parthenia Vocal was invited to perform as part of the festival's main concert series. The ensemble's performance was well-received by both audiences and critics, and helped to establish Parthenia Vocal as one of the leading early music ensembles in the United States. In addition to its performance at the Boston Early Music Festival, Parthenia Vocal has also performed at a number of other major music festivals and concert series, including the Berkeley Early Music Festival, the New York Early Music Celebration, and the Washington Early Music Festival. The ensemble has also performed at a number of prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Parthenia Vocal has received a number of awards and accolades for its performances and recordings. In 2005, the ensemble was awarded the Noah Greenberg Award by the American Musicological Society, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the performance of early music. The ensemble has also been praised for its recordings, which include a number of critically acclaimed albums such as "Music for the Queen of Scots" and "The Food of Love." Despite its success, Parthenia Vocal remains committed to its mission of bringing early music to a wider audience. The ensemble regularly performs in schools and community centers, and has developed a number of educational programs designed to introduce young people to the music of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. In conclusion, Parthenia Vocal is a classical music ensemble that has made a significant contribution to the performance and promotion of early music. Founded in 1999 by four musicians who shared a passion for the music of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, the ensemble has since expanded to include a number of other musicians and has performed at a number of major music festivals and venues. Parthenia Vocal has received a number of awards and accolades for its performances and recordings, and remains committed to its mission of bringing early music to a wider audience.

More....