Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Baroque

 

 

Classical

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

I Virtuosi di Roma is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1951 by the Italian conductor and composer Renato Fasano. The ensemble has become known for its virtuosic performances of Baroque and Classical music, and has toured extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Renato Fasano was born in Naples in 1913, and began his musical career as a violinist. He studied at the Conservatory of San Pietro a Majella in Naples, and later at the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome. In the 1930s, he began working as a conductor, and in 1946 he was appointed the principal conductor of the Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma. Fasano was known for his passionate and energetic conducting style, and for his commitment to promoting Italian music. In 1951, Fasano founded I Virtuosi di Roma with a group of young musicians who shared his passion for Baroque and Classical music. The ensemble quickly gained a reputation for its virtuosic performances, and began touring throughout Italy and Europe. In 1953, I Virtuosi di Roma made its debut in the United States, performing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Over the years, I Virtuosi di Roma has had many different members, but some of the most notable include the violinist Salvatore Accardo, the cellist Enrico Mainardi, and the harpsichordist Ruggero Gerlin. The ensemble has also collaborated with many famous soloists, including the pianist Martha Argerich, the violinist Yehudi Menuhin, and the cellist Mstislav Rostropovich. One of the highlights of I Virtuosi di Roma's career was its performance at the 1958 Edinburgh International Festival. The ensemble performed a program of Baroque music, including works by Vivaldi, Corelli, and Handel, and received a standing ovation from the audience. The performance was widely praised by critics, and helped to establish I Virtuosi di Roma as one of the leading Baroque ensembles in the world. In 1960, I Virtuosi di Roma made its first recording for the Deutsche Grammophon label. The recording, which featured works by Vivaldi and Albinoni, was a critical and commercial success, and helped to further establish the ensemble's reputation. Over the years, I Virtuosi di Roma has recorded many albums for various labels, including Philips, EMI, and RCA. In addition to its performances and recordings, I Virtuosi di Roma has also been recognized with many awards and honors. In 1962, the ensemble was awarded the Grand Prix du Disque for its recording of Vivaldi's Four Seasons. In 1971, I Virtuosi di Roma was awarded the Premio della Critica Musicale Italiana, and in 1981 the ensemble was awarded the Premio della Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri. Today, I Virtuosi di Roma continues to perform and record, under the direction of its current conductor, Alessandro Quarta. The ensemble's repertoire has expanded to include works from the Romantic and Modern periods, as well as contemporary music. However, the ensemble remains committed to its roots in Baroque and Classical music, and continues to be recognized as one of the leading ensembles in the world.

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