Cappella di Santa Maria degli Angiolini is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1984 in Florence, Italy. The ensemble is known for its performances of sacred music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, as well as contemporary works. The founding members of the ensemble were a group of young musicians who were studying at the Conservatory of Florence. They were inspired by the music of the Italian Renaissance and Baroque periods, and wanted to create an ensemble that would specialize in this repertoire. The ensemble was named after the church of Santa Maria degli Angiolini in Florence, where the founding members often performed. The main members of the ensemble have changed over the years, but the current members include soprano Maria Grazia Ferracani, alto Silvia Vajente, tenor Marco Scavazza, and bass Daniele Carnini. The ensemble is often accompanied by a small orchestra, which includes instruments such as the viola da gamba, harpsichord, and organ. One of the highlights of the ensemble's early career was their performance at the Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto, Italy in 1986. The festival is one of the most prestigious arts festivals in Italy, and the ensemble's performance was well-received by both audiences and critics. This performance helped to establish the ensemble's reputation as one of the leading interpreters of Renaissance and Baroque music in Italy. In 1990, the ensemble released their first album, "Musiche per la Santa Casa di Loreto," which featured music by composers such as Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina and Orlando di Lasso. The album was well-received by critics and helped to establish the ensemble's reputation beyond Italy. Over the years, the ensemble has performed at many prestigious venues and festivals around the world, including the Edinburgh International Festival, the Salzburg Festival, and the Festival de Musique Baroque de Versailles. They have also collaborated with many renowned conductors and soloists, including Jordi Savall, Philippe Herreweghe, and Andreas Scholl. One of the ensemble's most notable performances was their 2009 performance of Bach's "St. Matthew Passion" at the Berlin Philharmonic. The performance was conducted by Sir Simon Rattle and featured soloists such as Magdalena Kožená and Mark Padmore. The performance was widely praised by critics and helped to establish the ensemble's reputation as one of the leading interpreters of Bach's music. In addition to their performances, the ensemble has also received many awards and accolades over the years. In 1995, they were awarded the prestigious Premio Abbiati, which is awarded by the Italian National Association of Music Critics to the best musical performances of the year. They have also received several awards for their recordings, including the Diapason d'Or and the Choc de la Musique. Today, Cappella di Santa Maria degli Angiolini continues to be one of the leading interpreters of Renaissance and Baroque music in the world. They have released over 20 albums, which have been widely praised by critics and audiences alike. The ensemble's commitment to the music of the past, as well as their willingness to explore contemporary works, has helped to establish them as one of the most innovative and exciting ensembles in the classical music world.

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