I Fagiolini have their roots at Oxford University where they gave their first concert in 1986. Having initially specialised in secular vocal music of the Renaissance and early Baroque, they now enjoy a reputation for tackling all kinds of western vocal music, regularly commissioning new works as well as performing as a solo team for oratorio. Their performances of early repertoire are still historically informed, yet this is only the means to an end; their goal is to bring to life whatever music they are singing for modern audiences.
They first came to national prominence in 1989 by winning the prestigious Early network of Great Britain’s Young Artist’ Competition and have since twice toured the UK on the Network. Other awards include two prizes at the International Marenzio Competition in Italy and selection as a Tillett Trust Young Artist. They have received support from the Arts Council for William Byrd and Renaissance chanson project and to commission new works.
They have given concerts throughout the UK including the Wigmore Hall and Purcell Room and have visited Italy, Spain, Holland, Belgium and Turkey. 1993 saw their first collaboration with Florilegium and His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts in solo-voice performances of the Monteverdi Vespers at the Brighton and Cheltenham International Festivals, and Handel in the Canary Island with Florilegium, conducted by Robert Holingworth. In 1995 they toured South Africa for the first time.
They have worked for the BBC and several other TV and radio stations. Recordings include an acclaimed release of Monteverdi and Tudor Music from Hampton Court. They have embarked on a series of Byrd and Purcell recordings with Chandos and released two more discs for Metronome Recordings of early 16th century secular music from the courts of Europe.
They first came to national prominence in 1989 by winning the prestigious Early network of Great Britain’s Young Artist’ Competition and have since twice toured the UK on the Network. Other awards include two prizes at the International Marenzio Competition in Italy and selection as a Tillett Trust Young Artist. They have received support from the Arts Council for William Byrd and Renaissance chanson project and to commission new works.
They have given concerts throughout the UK including the Wigmore Hall and Purcell Room and have visited Italy, Spain, Holland, Belgium and Turkey. 1993 saw their first collaboration with Florilegium and His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts in solo-voice performances of the Monteverdi Vespers at the Brighton and Cheltenham International Festivals, and Handel in the Canary Island with Florilegium, conducted by Robert Holingworth. In 1995 they toured South Africa for the first time.
They have worked for the BBC and several other TV and radio stations. Recordings include an acclaimed release of Monteverdi and Tudor Music from Hampton Court. They have embarked on a series of Byrd and Purcell recordings with Chandos and released two more discs for Metronome Recordings of early 16th century secular music from the courts of Europe.
"All the works are superbly performed with exuberance and sheer enjoyment"
(Early Music News)
(Early Music News)