Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Baroque

 

 

Classical

 

Early Opera Company is a renowned classical music ensemble that specializes in performing Baroque operas and vocal works. The ensemble was founded in 1994 by the British conductor and harpsichordist Christian Curnyn, who remains its artistic director to this day. The Early Opera Company has gained a reputation for its historically informed performances, which aim to recreate the sound and style of the music as it would have been heard in its original context. The Early Opera Company's core members are a group of highly skilled musicians who specialize in Baroque music. The ensemble typically performs with a small orchestra of period instruments, including violins, violas, cellos, basses, oboes, bassoons, trumpets, and timpani. The ensemble also features a group of vocal soloists who perform the lead roles in the operas and vocal works. One of the Early Opera Company's main highlights has been its performances of Handel's operas. The ensemble has performed many of Handel's most famous works, including Giulio Cesare, Rodelinda, and Alcina. The Early Opera Company's performances of Handel's operas have been praised for their energy, clarity, and emotional depth. The ensemble has also performed works by other Baroque composers, including Purcell, Monteverdi, and Vivaldi. The Early Opera Company has received numerous awards and accolades for its performances. In 2005, the ensemble won the prestigious Gramophone Award for Best Baroque Vocal Recording for its recording of Handel's Rodelinda. The ensemble has also been nominated for several other Gramophone Awards, including Best Opera Recording and Best Baroque Instrumental Recording. In addition, the Early Opera Company has won the BBC Music Magazine Award for Best Opera Recording and the Diapason d'Or Award for Best Opera Recording. One of the Early Opera Company's most notable performances was its production of Handel's Giulio Cesare at the Glyndebourne Festival in 2005. The production was directed by David McVicar and starred the mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly in the lead role of Caesar. The production was widely praised for its innovative staging, powerful performances, and musical excellence. The Early Opera Company's performance of Giulio Cesare at Glyndebourne was later released on DVD and has become a classic of the Baroque opera repertoire. Another highlight of the Early Opera Company's career was its performance of Purcell's Dido and Aeneas at the Wigmore Hall in 2011. The production was directed by Thomas Guthrie and starred the mezzo-soprano Anna Stephany in the lead role of Dido. The Early Opera Company's performance of Dido and Aeneas was praised for its intimacy, sensitivity, and emotional depth. The production was later released on CD and has become a popular recording of the work. The Early Opera Company has also been involved in several educational and outreach programs. The ensemble has worked with schools and community groups to introduce young people to Baroque music and opera. The Early Opera Company has also collaborated with other arts organizations, including the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre, to create innovative productions that combine music, drama, and dance. In conclusion, the Early Opera Company is a highly respected classical music ensemble that has gained a reputation for its historically informed performances of Baroque operas and vocal works.

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