I Fagiolini is a British

vocal ensemble A choir ( ), also known as a chorale or chorus (from Latin ''chorus'', meaning 'a dance in a circle') is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform or in other words ...

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) or Ancient music (before 500 AD). Originating in Europe, early music is a broad Dates of classical ...

and

contemporary music Contemporary music is whatever music is produced at the current time. Specifically, it could refer to: Genres or audiences * Adult contemporary music * British contemporary R&B * Christian adult contemporary * Christian contemporary hit radio * Con ...

. Founded by Robert Hollingworth at

Oxford Oxford () is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city and non-metropolitan district in Oxfordshire, England, of which it is the county town. The city is home to the University of Oxford, the List of oldest universities in continuou ...

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'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 Orazio Vecchi (6 December 1550 (baptized) in Modena – 19 February 1605) was an Italian composer of the late Renaissance music, Renaissance. He is most famous for his madrigal comedy, madrigal comedies, particularly ''L'Amfiparnaso''. ...

's ''L'Amfiparnaso'' with

Simon Callow Simon Phillip Hugh Callow (born 15 June 1949) is an English actor. Known as a character actor on stage and screen, he has received numerous accolades including an Olivier Award and Screen Actors Guild Award as well as nominations for two BAFT ...

. The group has recorded the recently found 40-part mass (1566) by Striggio. The CD was released in March 2011 and won the Early Music category in the 2011

Gramophone Awards The Gramophone Classical Music Awards, launched in 1977, are one of the most significant honours bestowed on recordings in the Classical music, classical record industry. The British awards are often viewed as equivalent to or surpassing the ...

and a

Diapason d'Or The Diapason d'Or (French for "Golden Tuning Fork") is a recommendation of outstanding (mostly) classical music recordings given by reviewers of '' Diapason'' magazine in France, broadly equivalent to "Editor's Choice", "Disc of the Month" in the ...

de l'Année.

Frequent guests

*Barokksolistene - Period instruments *David Miller -

Lute A lute ( or ) is any plucked string instrument with a neck (music), 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 "lu ...

*Catherine Pierron -

Harpsichord A harpsichord is a musical instrument played by means of a musical keyboard, keyboard. Depressing a key raises its back end within the instrument, which in turn raises a mechanism with a small plectrum made from quill or plastic that plucks one ...

*Eligio Quinteiro -

*Joy Smith

Harp The harp is a stringed musical instrument that has 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 orchestras or ...

Recent recordings

* Orazio Benevoli, ''Mass for Four Choirs'' (2024) CORO * 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) *

''Ensemble of the year'' (2006) *UK Early Music Network’s Young Artists’ Competition (1988)

References

External links

Official sitePerciusThefullmonteverdi.co.ukChandos Records
Early music choirs Musical groups established in 1986 1986 establishments in the United Kingdom Oxford choirs {{UK-band-stub