Country

:

United Kingdom

Period

:

Renaissance

 

 

Baroque

Genre

:

Choral

 

Gabrieli Consort & Players is a renowned classical music ensemble that specializes in performing music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The ensemble was founded in 1982 by Paul McCreesh, a British conductor and musicologist, who remains its artistic director to this day. McCreesh's vision for the ensemble was to create a group that would perform early music with a historically informed approach, using period instruments and techniques to recreate the sound and style of the music as it would have been heard in its original context. This approach was groundbreaking at the time, and has since become a standard practice in the performance of early music. The ensemble takes its name from Giovanni Gabrieli, a composer and organist who lived in Venice in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Gabrieli was known for his innovative use of multiple choirs and instrumental groups, creating a rich and complex sound that was influential in the development of Baroque music. The Gabrieli Consort & Players has a core group of musicians who perform regularly with the ensemble, including singers and instrumentalists who specialize in early music. The ensemble also collaborates with guest artists and conductors, bringing a diverse range of perspectives and expertise to its performances. One of the highlights of the ensemble's career was its performance of Handel's Messiah at the BBC Proms in 2009. This performance was notable for its use of period instruments and historically informed performance practices, which gave the music a fresh and vibrant energy. The performance was widely praised by critics and audiences alike, and was later released as a recording on the Signum Classics label. Another notable performance by the Gabrieli Consort & Players was its production of Monteverdi's Vespers of 1610, which was staged as a fully choreographed and costumed performance in 2010. This production was a collaboration with the dance company Rambert, and featured a cast of singers, dancers, and instrumentalists who brought the music to life in a dynamic and visually stunning way. The ensemble has also been recognized for its recordings, which have won numerous awards and critical acclaim. In 1995, the ensemble released a recording of Bach's St. Matthew Passion, which was hailed as a landmark recording of the work. The recording featured a cast of soloists and a choir of over 100 singers, as well as period instruments and historically informed performance practices. Other notable recordings by the Gabrieli Consort & Players include their performances of Handel's Dixit Dominus and Bach's Mass in B Minor, both of which have been praised for their clarity, precision, and emotional depth. In addition to its performances and recordings, the Gabrieli Consort & Players is also committed to education and outreach. The ensemble regularly conducts workshops and masterclasses for young musicians, and has established a scholarship program to support the next generation of early music performers. Overall, the Gabrieli Consort & Players has established itself as one of the leading ensembles in the field of early music. Its commitment to historically informed performance practices, combined with its innovative productions and collaborations, have made it a vital and dynamic force in the world of classical music.

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