vocal ensemble
A choir ( ; also known as a chorale or chorus) is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform. Choirs may perform music from the classical music repertoire, which s ...
specialising in
early music
Early music generally comprises Medieval music (500–1400) and Renaissance music (1400–1600), but can also include Baroque music (1600–1750). Originating in Europe, early music is a broad musical era for the beginning of Western classi ...
and
contemporary music
Contemporary classical music is classical music composed close to the present day. At the beginning of the 21st century, it commonly referred to the post-1945 modern forms of post-tonal music after the death of Anton Webern, and included se ...
. Founded by Robert Hollingworth at
Oxford
Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to the ...
in 1986, the group won the UK Early Music Network’s Young Artists’ Competition in 1988 and a
Royal Philharmonic Society
The Royal Philharmonic Society (RPS) is a British music society, formed in 1813. Its original purpose was to promote performances of instrumental music in London. Many composers and performers have taken part in its concerts. It is now a memb ...
Award in 2006. It has an international reputation for presenting music in unusual ways, especially for featuring in
John La Bouchardière
John La Bouchardière is a British opera, film and television director.
Biography
La Bouchardière was a chorister at Magdalen College, Oxford, studied at the University of Birmingham and was a staff director at English National Opera. He also spe ...
's production and film '' The Full Monteverdi'', worldwide. I Fagiolini has recorded some 15 CDs, mostly for
Chandos Records
Chandos Records is a British independent classical music recording company based in Colchester. It was founded in 1979 by Brian Couzens.Orazio Vecchi's ''L'Amfiparnaso'' with Simon Callow.
The group has recorded the recently found Striggio 40-part mass (1566), released in March 2011. The CD won the Early Music category in the 2011 Gramophone Awards and a Diapason d'Or de l'Année.
Frequent guests
*Barokksolistene - Period instruments
*David Miller -
Lute
A lute ( or ) is any plucked string instrument with a neck and a deep round back enclosing a hollow cavity, usually with a sound hole or opening in the body. It may be either fretted or unfretted.
More specifically, the term "lute" can ref ...
*Catherine Pierron -
Harpsichord
A harpsichord ( it, clavicembalo; french: clavecin; german: Cembalo; es, clavecín; pt, cravo; nl, klavecimbel; pl, klawesyn) is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. This activates a row of levers that turn a trigger mechanism ...
*Eligio Quinteiro -
Lute
A lute ( or ) is any plucked string instrument with a neck and a deep round back enclosing a hollow cavity, usually with a sound hole or opening in the body. It may be either fretted or unfretted.
More specifically, the term "lute" can ref ...
*Joy Smith
Harp
The harp is a stringed musical instrument that has a number of individual strings running at an angle to its soundboard; the strings are plucked with the fingers. Harps can be made and played in various ways, standing or sitting, and in orc ...
Recent recordings
* Gabrieli, Monteverdi, Palestrina, Viadana: ''1612 Italian Vespers'' (2012) CD Decca Classics 478 3506
* Alessandro Striggio: ''40 Part Mass'' (2011) - CD+DVD Decca Decca Classics 478 2734
* Claudio Monteverdi: ''Sweet Torment'' (2009) - CD Chandos CHAN 0760
* Claudio Monteverdi: ''Fire & Ashes'' (2008) - CD Chandos CHAN 0749
* Claudio Monteverdi: '' The Full Monteverdi'' (2007) - DVD Naxos 2.110224
* Claudio Monteverdi: ''Flaming Heart'' (2006) - CD Chandos CHAN 0730
* Orazio Vecchi: ''L'Amfiparnaso'' (2004) - DVD Chandos CHDVD 5029
Prizes and awards
*Diapason D'Or de L'Année 2011 for Striggio Mass in 40 Parts
*Gramophone Early Music Award 2011 for Striggio Mass in 40 Parts
*Choc du Monde de la Musique for '' The Full Monteverdi'' (2008)
*
Royal Philharmonic Society
The Royal Philharmonic Society (RPS) is a British music society, formed in 1813. Its original purpose was to promote performances of instrumental music in London. Many composers and performers have taken part in its concerts. It is now a memb ...
''Ensemble of the year'' (2006)
*UK Early Music Network’s Young Artists’ Competition (1988)