Collegium Vocale Leipzig is a renowned classical music ensemble that was founded in 1964 by the German conductor and composer, Helmuth Rilling. The ensemble is based in Leipzig, Germany, and is known for its exceptional performances of choral music from the Baroque and Classical periods. The founding of Collegium Vocale Leipzig was a response to the growing interest in historically informed performances of early music. Rilling, who was a student of the famous conductor, Hermann Scherchen, was inspired by the work of the English conductor, John Eliot Gardiner, who had founded the Monteverdi Choir in 1964. Rilling wanted to create a similar ensemble in Germany that would focus on the performance of early music using historically accurate instruments and techniques. The early years of Collegium Vocale Leipzig were marked by a series of successful performances and recordings of works by Bach, Handel, and other Baroque composers. The ensemble quickly gained a reputation for its precision and clarity of sound, as well as its commitment to historical accuracy. One of the main members of Collegium Vocale Leipzig during its early years was the German soprano, Arleen Augér. Augér was known for her exceptional vocal range and clarity of tone, and she became a regular soloist with the ensemble. Other notable members of the ensemble during this time included the German tenor, Peter Schreier, and the German bass-baritone, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. In the 1970s and 1980s, Collegium Vocale Leipzig continued to build its reputation as one of the leading ensembles in the world of early music. The ensemble performed at major music festivals throughout Europe and the United States, and it recorded a number of critically acclaimed albums. One of the highlights of Collegium Vocale Leipzig's career came in 1985, when the ensemble was invited to perform at the opening concert of the Bachfest Leipzig. The concert, which was held in the historic Thomaskirche, featured a performance of Bach's Mass in B Minor, and it was widely regarded as one of the greatest performances of the work ever recorded. Another major highlight of Collegium Vocale Leipzig's career came in 1999, when the ensemble was awarded the Echo Klassik award for its recording of Bach's St. Matthew Passion. The Echo Klassik is one of the most prestigious awards in the world of classical music, and it is given annually to the best recordings and performances in various categories. In recent years, Collegium Vocale Leipzig has continued to perform and record music from the Baroque and Classical periods, as well as works by contemporary composers. The ensemble has also expanded its repertoire to include music from the Romantic and Modern periods, and it has collaborated with a number of other leading ensembles and soloists. Today, Collegium Vocale Leipzig is led by the German conductor, Gotthold Schwarz, who took over as artistic director in 2016. Under Schwarz's leadership, the ensemble has continued to build on its legacy of excellence in the performance of early music, while also exploring new directions and collaborations. In conclusion, Collegium Vocale Leipzig is a world-renowned classical music ensemble that has made a significant contribution to the performance and recording of early music. Founded in 1964 by Helmuth Rilling, the ensemble has built a reputation for its precision, clarity of sound, and commitment to historical accuracy.

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