Genre

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Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

Concerto Italiano is a renowned classical music ensemble that specializes in performing Baroque music. The ensemble was founded in 1984 by the Italian harpsichordist and conductor Rinaldo Alessandrini, who remains its artistic director to this day. Concerto Italiano has gained international recognition for its authentic and historically informed performances of Baroque music, particularly the works of Italian composers such as Monteverdi, Vivaldi, and Scarlatti. Rinaldo Alessandrini was born in Rome in 1960 and began studying music at a young age. He studied harpsichord and organ at the Conservatory of Santa Cecilia in Rome and later at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Switzerland. Alessandrini was deeply influenced by the early music movement of the 1970s, which sought to revive and perform music from the Baroque and Renaissance periods using historically accurate instruments and techniques. In 1984, Alessandrini founded Concerto Italiano with a group of like-minded musicians who shared his passion for Baroque music. The ensemble's name reflects its focus on Italian music of the Baroque era, which is characterized by its virtuosity, expressiveness, and ornate melodies. Concerto Italiano quickly gained a reputation for its innovative and dynamic performances, which combined rigorous scholarship with a lively and engaging stage presence. The core members of Concerto Italiano include Rinaldo Alessandrini on harpsichord and organ, Enrico Onofri on violin, and Sara Mingardo on contralto. These musicians have been with the ensemble since its founding and have played a key role in shaping its distinctive sound and style. Other members of the ensemble include a rotating cast of instrumentalists and vocalists who are chosen for their expertise in Baroque music and their ability to work collaboratively with the core members. Concerto Italiano has performed extensively throughout Europe, North America, and Asia, appearing at major festivals and concert halls such as the Salzburg Festival, the Edinburgh International Festival, and the Lincoln Center in New York. The ensemble has also recorded numerous albums, many of which have received critical acclaim and won awards. One of Concerto Italiano's most notable performances was its 1993 production of Monteverdi's opera L'Orfeo, which was staged at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan. This production was widely praised for its innovative staging and its faithful interpretation of Monteverdi's music. The ensemble has also performed and recorded all of Monteverdi's surviving operas, cementing its reputation as one of the foremost interpreters of his music. In addition to its performances of Italian Baroque music, Concerto Italiano has also explored other musical genres and periods. The ensemble has performed works by Bach, Handel, and Mozart, as well as contemporary composers such as Luciano Berio and Giacinto Scelsi. However, its primary focus remains on the music of the Italian Baroque, which it continues to interpret with passion and precision. Concerto Italiano has received numerous awards and accolades for its performances and recordings. In 1995, the ensemble won the prestigious Gramophone Award for its recording of Monteverdi's Vespers of 1610. It has also been awarded the Diapason d'Or, the Choc de la Musique, and the Echo Klassik Award, among others.

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