Country

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France

Genre

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Vocal

 

Alla Francesca is a classical music ensemble that specializes in medieval and Renaissance music. The ensemble was founded in 1989 by Brigitte Lesne, a French musician and musicologist who had previously been a member of the Ensemble Organum. Lesne's vision for Alla Francesca was to create a group that would explore the rich and diverse repertoire of early music, with a particular focus on the music of France. The ensemble's name, Alla Francesca, is a reference to a medieval dance form that was popular in France during the 14th and 15th centuries. The name reflects the ensemble's commitment to exploring the musical traditions of France and the wider European continent during the medieval and Renaissance periods. Alla Francesca's core members are Brigitte Lesne (voice and harp), Pierre Hamon (flutes and bagpipes), and Emmanuel Bonnardot (vielle and fiddle). Over the years, the ensemble has also collaborated with a number of other musicians, including percussionist Jean-Pierre Canihac and lutenist Eric Bellocq. One of the highlights of Alla Francesca's career was their performance at the Festival de Saintes in 1990. This prestigious festival, which takes place in the historic town of Saintes in southwestern France, is dedicated to early music and attracts some of the world's leading performers in the field. Alla Francesca's performance at the festival was widely praised for its virtuosity and sensitivity to the nuances of medieval and Renaissance music. Another notable performance by Alla Francesca was their collaboration with the choreographer Carolyn Carlson on the production of the ballet "Signes" in 1997. The ballet, which was performed at the Théâtre de la Ville in Paris, featured music by Alla Francesca and was widely acclaimed for its innovative fusion of contemporary dance and medieval music. Alla Francesca has also been recognized for their recordings of early music. In 1996, the ensemble won the prestigious Diapason d'Or award for their recording of the "Chansonnier du Roi" (the King's Songbook), a collection of French songs from the 13th and 14th centuries. The ensemble has also recorded several albums of music by the medieval composer Guillaume de Machaut, including a critically acclaimed recording of his "Messe de Nostre Dame." In addition to their performances and recordings, Alla Francesca has also been active in promoting early music through educational initiatives. The ensemble has conducted workshops and masterclasses for students and amateur musicians, sharing their expertise and passion for medieval and Renaissance music with a new generation of performers and enthusiasts. Overall, Alla Francesca has established itself as one of the leading ensembles in the field of early music. Their commitment to exploring the rich and diverse repertoire of medieval and Renaissance music, combined with their virtuosity and sensitivity as performers, has earned them a well-deserved reputation as one of the most exciting and innovative ensembles in the field.

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