Sydney Opera House

Onsale Monday 30th June 2008

In 1990, internationally renowned conductor and violinist, Fabio Biondi, formed Europa Galante to draw international attention to a new interpretation of Italian baroque and classical music on original instruments from the period. In addition to earning accolades as the most internationally renowned and awarded Italian Baroque ensemble of today, their recording of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons sold an astounding 500,000 copies worldwide.

Fabio Biondi, who started an international career as violinist at the age of 12, was introduced to the pioneers of the new approach to baroque music at age 15, altering forever the direction of his career. He has been in continual pursuit of a musical style that is free from old traditions and true to the original language. And while scholarly in their musical interpretation and instruments, Europa Galante embodies a revolutionary approach to free and impassioned playing that makes them the foremost interpreters of Italian baroque music.

Europa Galante’s repertoire ranges from the operas of Handel (Poro) and Vivaldi (Bazajet) and the oratorios of Alessandro Scarlatti (Maddalena, Humanita e Lucifero and Caino) through the great instrumental works of the 18th century. The ensemble has a varying structure and often performs chamber music, including the string sonatas of Italian composers of the 17th century including Castello, Legrenzi and Farina.

Europa Galante has performed in many of the world’s major concert halls and theaters   –– La Scala, Milan; Suntory Hall, Tokyo; Royal Albert Hall, London; Lincoln Center, New York; and the Sydney Opera House. The ensemble has toured the world and often collaborates with the Ente Santa Cecilia in Rome to recover and restore 18th century Italian operas. The ensemble regularly performs at the Scarlatti Festival in Palermo, Italy, and has given the world premieres of Clori, Dorino e Amore serenata, Massimo Puppieno, Il Trionfo dell’Onore and La Principessa Fedele.

From their very first record, Vivaldi’s concertos, which received numerous awards, Europa Galante has continued with many successful recordings including Vivaldi’s L’estro armonico, Motets, and Four Seasons; A. & D. Scarlatti’s Concerti Grossi and Sinfonie; Boccherini’s String Quartets; J.S. Bach’s Cantatas with Ian Bostridge and J.S. Bach’s Concertos.