Genre

:

Choral

 

Ensemble Plus Ultra is a classical music ensemble that specializes in the performance of Renaissance and Baroque music. The ensemble was founded in 2001 by Michael Noone, an Irish conductor and musicologist, who serves as its artistic director. The group is based in London, England, and has gained international recognition for its performances and recordings. The ensemble's name, "Plus Ultra," is derived from the motto of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, who ruled from 1519 to 1556. The phrase means "further beyond" and was intended to symbolize the emperor's ambition to expand his empire beyond the boundaries of the known world. The name reflects the ensemble's commitment to exploring the rich and diverse repertoire of early music and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in performance. Ensemble Plus Ultra is made up of a core group of singers and instrumentalists, who are joined by guest performers as needed for specific projects. The ensemble's core members include sopranos Clare Wilkinson and Caroline Trevor, altos David Martin and Angus Smith, tenors William Purefoy and Simon Wall, and basses Robert Macdonald and Donald Greig. The instrumentalists include harpsichordist David Miller, lutenist Eligio Quinteiro, and viola da gamba player Richard Sweeney. The ensemble's repertoire includes music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, with a particular focus on the music of Spain and Portugal. The group has recorded several albums of music by Spanish and Portuguese composers, including Francisco Guerrero, Tomás Luis de Victoria, and Manuel Cardoso. The ensemble's recordings have received critical acclaim and have been nominated for several awards, including a Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance in 2012. One of the ensemble's most notable performances was its 2009 concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London, which was part of the BBC Proms series. The concert featured music by Spanish composers, including Guerrero, Victoria, and Alonso Lobo, and was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3. The ensemble's performance was praised for its "clarity, precision, and beauty of tone" and was described as "a revelation" by The Guardian. Ensemble Plus Ultra has also performed at several major music festivals, including the Edinburgh International Festival, the Festival Internacional de Música y Danza de Granada, and the Festival de Música Antigua de Úbeda y Baeza. The ensemble has collaborated with several other prominent musicians and ensembles, including the Tallis Scholars, the Academy of Ancient Music, and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. In addition to its performances and recordings, Ensemble Plus Ultra is also involved in music education and outreach. The ensemble has conducted workshops and masterclasses for students and amateur musicians, and has worked with several schools and community organizations to promote early music and music education. Ensemble Plus Ultra has received several awards and honors for its performances and recordings. In addition to its Grammy nomination, the ensemble has been awarded the Diapason d'Or, the International Classical Music Award, and the Gramophone Award for Best Early Music Recording. The ensemble's recordings have also been featured on several "best of" lists, including those of The New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC Music Magazine.

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