Musica Alchemica is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 2010 by a group of musicians who shared a passion for early music. The ensemble is based in London, UK, and is known for its innovative and dynamic performances of music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The founding members of Musica Alchemica were violinist Bojan Čičić, cellist Alison McGillivray, and harpsichordist Steven Devine. All three musicians had extensive experience performing early music and had worked together on various projects before forming the ensemble. They were joined by a number of other musicians, including viola da gamba player Reiko Ichise and soprano Rachel Elliott, to form the core of the ensemble. From the beginning, Musica Alchemica set out to explore the rich and varied repertoire of early music, with a particular focus on the music of the 17th century. The ensemble's name reflects this interest, as it refers to the alchemical process of transforming base metals into gold, which was a popular metaphor in the music of the time. One of the highlights of Musica Alchemica's early career was their performance at the 2011 York Early Music Festival, where they presented a program of music by the Italian composer Giovanni Battista Fontana. The ensemble's virtuosic playing and innovative approach to the music earned them critical acclaim and helped to establish their reputation as one of the leading early music ensembles in the UK. Since then, Musica Alchemica has gone on to perform at some of the most prestigious early music festivals and venues in Europe, including the Wigmore Hall in London, the Utrecht Early Music Festival in the Netherlands, and the Festival Oude Muziek in Utrecht. They have also collaborated with a number of other leading early music ensembles, including the Academy of Ancient Music and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. One of the ensemble's most notable collaborations was with the renowned soprano Emma Kirkby, with whom they recorded a program of music by the Italian composer Barbara Strozzi. The recording, which was released in 2015, received widespread critical acclaim and was nominated for a Gramophone Award. In addition to their performances and recordings, Musica Alchemica is also committed to education and outreach. They regularly give workshops and masterclasses for young musicians and have worked with a number of schools and community groups to promote early music and music education. Overall, Musica Alchemica is a dynamic and innovative ensemble that has made a significant contribution to the world of early music. With their virtuosic playing, innovative programming, and commitment to education and outreach, they have established themselves as one of the leading early music ensembles in the UK and beyond.

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