Why I Fagiolini?
“If there’s a more enterprisingly theatrical vocal group than this one, I’ve yet to encounter it.” The Daily Telegraph
“First-rate musical actors… quite gorgeous…” American Record Guide
“I Fagiolini’s ravished and ravishing singers.” The New York Sun
“There is nothing ordinary about a performance by I Fagiolini. These singers have made their reputation by turning their backs on convention.” The Guardian
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I Fagiolini specialises in Renaissance and Contemporary vocal music. The group communicates programmes in a theatrical style that captures the repertoire and portrays it to audiences in a new and unique style.
- I Fagiolini also works with instrumentalists, most recently:
Barokksolistene – Bach cantatas (Kings Place, London); Bach Christmas Oratorio (Oslo); Monteverdi (BBC Proms)
RLPO - Berio Sinfonia; Pratt Uneasy Vespers II.
Feinstein Ensemble – Bach B Minor Mass (one to a part)
Harmony of Nations – Purcell The Fairy Queen; Handel Acis & Galatea
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Past collaborations include Bach St John Passion with Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and Christmas with Bach with the Academy of Ancient Music.
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Projects have included The Full Monteverdi on stage and film (resident at Lincoln Center Festival in 2007); Purcell’s The Indian Queen with puppets; L’Amfiparnaso with masks; The Birds; SDASA Chorale of Soweto on a partly improvised album, Simunye.
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Commissions have included works from Adrian Williams, Ed Hughes, David Matthews, Ivan Moody, Gabriel Jackson, Daryl Runswick and Roderick Williams.
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Media: the ensemble is regularly on radio, Hollingworth often writing and presenting on BBC Radio 3 (Discovering Music, CD Review, The Early Music Show). The group has released 15 CDs and 2 DVDs: Vecchi’s masked comedy L’Amfiparnaso with actor Simon Callow, and The Full Monteverdi.
Forthcoming projects include
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2009-2011: Tallis in Wonderland with director Henk Schut including theatrics, lighting and sound installation – venue-adaptable. The programme deconstructs polyphony using Tallis, Rore, Palestrina, Gesualdo and Monteverdi while putting the audience in the midst of the sound and the music in its historical, literary and political context. Premiered at Aldeburgh on Easter Saturday 2009, the programme is both expansive and intimate.
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Madrigal to Opera for Lufthansa Baroque Festival (Monteverdi a capella, Il Ballo dell’Ingrate, Messenger scene from L’Orfeo).
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Berio Sinfonia [see film clip] Berio’s cries of london could be performed in the same concert.
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Film screenings of The Full Monteverdi.
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Several new recordings - release in 2011.
