Terra Nova is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1996 by a group of musicians who shared a passion for early music. The ensemble is based in the United States and has gained a reputation for its innovative and engaging performances of music from the medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. The founding members of Terra Nova were all accomplished musicians who had studied and performed extensively in the field of early music. They included soprano Susan Hellauer, tenor Charles Daniels, and instrumentalists David Douglass (violin), Mary Springfels (viola da gamba), and Steve Player (lute and guitar). The ensemble was later joined by other musicians, including percussionist Rex Benincasa and harpist Christa Patton. From the beginning, Terra Nova set out to explore the rich and varied repertoire of early music, with a particular focus on vocal music. The ensemble's name, which means "new land" in Latin, reflects its commitment to discovering and interpreting music that is often overlooked or forgotten. One of Terra Nova's early highlights was its performance at the Boston Early Music Festival in 1997. The ensemble's program, which included works by Monteverdi, Purcell, and Dowland, was praised for its "vibrant energy" and "impeccable musicianship." This performance helped to establish Terra Nova as a leading ensemble in the field of early music. Over the years, Terra Nova has continued to perform at major festivals and concert series throughout the United States and Europe. The ensemble has also released several critically acclaimed recordings, including "Love's Illusion," which features music by Monteverdi and his contemporaries, and "The Food of Love," which explores the theme of food in early music. In addition to its performances and recordings, Terra Nova has also been recognized for its contributions to the field of early music. The ensemble has received numerous awards and grants, including a prestigious National Endowment for the Arts grant in 2001. One of Terra Nova's most notable achievements was its collaboration with the Mark Morris Dance Group on the production of "L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato." This production, which premiered in 1988, features music by Handel and choreography by Mark Morris. Terra Nova provided the live musical accompaniment for the production, which has been hailed as a masterpiece of modern dance. Another highlight of Terra Nova's career was its performance at the 2006 Boston Early Music Festival. The ensemble's program, which included works by Purcell, Handel, and Vivaldi, was praised for its "exquisite beauty" and "impeccable technique." This performance helped to cement Terra Nova's reputation as one of the leading ensembles in the field of early music. Today, Terra Nova continues to perform and record music from the medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. The ensemble's current members include Susan Hellauer (soprano), Charles Daniels (tenor), David Douglass (violin), Mary Springfels (viola da gamba), Rex Benincasa (percussion), and Christa Patton (harp). Together, they continue to explore the rich and varied repertoire of early music, bringing new life to these timeless works for modern audiences.

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