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La Cetra Consort

La Cetra Consort consists of members of the La Cetra Baroque Orchestra Basel, who cultivate this genre within a smaller and more intimate setting. La Cetra Baroque Orchestra Basel was founded in 1999 upon the initiative of the then director of the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, Dr Peter Reidemeister. The ensemble’s name refers to Antonio Vivaldi’s Violin Concerto op. 9, which was nicknamed “La Cetra” (The Zither). La Cetra quickly entered the international stage, becoming one of the leading exponents of historically informed music. The dynamic rise of the young orchestra is documented by successful performances at major international festivals, outstanding concerts at some of the most renowned concert halls in Europe, and a variety of excellent radio and CD productions.

Over the years, La Cetra has collaborated with a number of star guest conductors such as René Jacobs, Attilio Cremonesi, Konrad Junghänel, Jordi Savall, Gustav Leonhard and Andrea Marcon, soloists such as Andreas Scholl, Vivica Genaux, Mojca Erdman, Magdalena Kožená, Patricia Petibon, Nuria Rial, Maurice Steger, Giuliano Carmignola and Nicola Benedetti, and choirs such as the RIAS Chamber Choir and Ensemble Orlando Fribourg. It also plays as a chamber ensemble. Since 2009 the conductor, organist and harpsichordist Andrea Marcon has been Artistic Director of La Cetra Baroque Orchestra Basel. In 2012, and upon his initiative, the La Cetra Vocal Ensemble was founded, with whom the orchestra regularly performs.
The explicit philosophy of La Cetra is that the scientific background work and intensive exploration of period instruments, performance practices and historical context should be communicated in lively, gripping, and up-to-date interpretations. For this, La Cetra Baroque Orchestra Basel was awarded the European Prize for Early Music in 2009.

Discography