PARTICIPANTS

ENSEMBLE AURORA

The association between sound and light, revealed by etymological affinities between words indicating sound and daybreak often recurs in the myths of many ancient people. From the indo-asiatic, european and eskimo traditions up to the african and American cultures, the source of world is a sound of light.

The Aurora Ensemble was founded in 1986 by Enrico Gatti and other musicians keen on the study and performance of the italian musical heritage. All members of the group have an accurate personal musical education, and have specialized and qualified in the most prestigious european schools such as the Royal Conservatory of The Hague, the Schola Cantorum of Basel, the Centre de Musique Ancienne of the Conservatory of Geneva, The Mozarteum in Salzburg, the Conservatoire Superièure of Paris.

In a time when ancient music sonority is getting a very nervous and rhythmical physiognomy, the Aurora Ensemble has based its sound emission research on the most peculiar characteristic of the XVII and XVIII century aesthetics: the imitation of nature and consequently of human voice, in its dynamics, pronunciations and articulations. On this base the correct use of original instruments according to repertoire is not conceived as an aim, but as a precious mean in order to recover italian tradition, charaterized by nobility and refinement that can be obtained only through a perfect balance between rigorous preparation and interpretative fancy.

The ensemble started focusing on the XVII century literature and on the "sonatas a tre" by Corelli, in order to obtain a necessary stylistic base to be able to perform later music without risking to make anachronistic interpretations.

Besides many instrumental programmes, other with secular cantatas, lamentations for the Holy Week, the important oratorios La Susanna and San Giovanni Battista by Stradella have been realized, collaborating with renowed singers. The group has been on tour in all Europe, United States, South America and Japan, being guest of important concert seasons and the mot prestigious festivals of Europa and USA. The Aurora Ensemble has been featuring various first world recordings. The ensemble was given twice the I International Prize Antonio Vivaldi for the best Italian instrumental music recordings in 1993 and 1998. The recording of Corelli's op.III was awarded in 1998 one of the many Diapason d'or de l'année they obtained.

Enrico Gatti

Born in 1955 in Perugia, Italy, Enrico Gatti has dedicated himself to the study of XVII and XVIII century repertoire. A pupil of Chiara Banchini, he obtained the diploma in baroque violin at The Conservatory of Music in Geneva, Switzerland; he finished his studies under the guidance of Sigiswald Kuijken at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague, Netherlands.

He has concertized extensively in Europe, Canada, America, Russia, Japan and Australia, performing with, among others, La Petite Bande, Ensemble 415, Concerto Palatino, Hesperion XX, La Real Cámara, as leader of Les Arts Florissants, Les Talens Lyriques, The Taverner Players, The King’s Consort, Ricercar Consort, Accordone Ensemble, Accademia W. Hermans and Concerto Köln, as well as with directors such as Gustav Leonhardt and Ton Koopman. He directs the Ensemble Aurora, which he founded in Italy in 1986. He has recorded for several labels and for radio networks. He was assigned the first prize Antonio Vivaldi in 1993 and 1998 and several times the Diapason d’or.

In the last few years, Enrico Gatti has developed a distinguished teaching career as professor of baroque violin at The Conservatory of Music in Toulouse, the Conservatory of Geneva, the Schola Cantorum of Basel, Switzerland and the Civica Scuola di Musica in Milan. He teaches presently at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague and at the Conservatorio di música Santa Cecilia in Rome and has given masterclasses at several the around the world.

Enrico Gatti was a member of the jury for international early music competitions at Bruges (1993), Brescia (1995), Rovereto (1997 and 1998) and Symphonia en Perigord (1998). From 1997 to 2005 he has been artistic director of the Urbino International Early Music Course. He is now member of the Scientific Committee for the national critical edition of the complete works of Alessandro Stradella.