Ensemble-in-Residence

Handel House has appointed Spirituoso as its Ensemble-in-Residence for 2009/10. This exciting appointment will involve Spirituoso giving regular performances throughout the year as well as running interactive family events.

Formed in 1993, Spirituoso have been acclaimed as 'vigorous, innovative, passionate, inspiring and "spirituous"' in their numerous appearances in the UK, Europe and South America. Its members have recorded CDs, broadcast on TV, radio and the web. The core trio is occasionally joined by guest singers or violinists, providing numerous combinations for programmes.

Performing on period instruments, Spirituoso display an impeccable technique and deep historical knowledge, which allied to the utter expression of subtle emotions, results in a remarkable journey through the centuries embracing the Renaissance, Baroque and Classical periods.

Spirituoso are Lisete Da Silva (baroque flute and recorders), Nicholas Stringfellow (baroque cello) and Ricardo Barros (harpsichord and baroque dance).

Lisete da Silva plays the recorders and baroque flute. As well as performing and teaching throughout the UK, Lisete frequently gives masterclasses and performs in Slovenia, and is part of the Early Music Academy of Lisbon International Early Music courses. She is currently a professor of Recorder and Chamber Music at the Blackheath Conservatoire of Music and the Arts where she directs Blackheath Baroque; teaches recorder at the Watford School of Music and; regularly coaches the Hertfordshire Music County’s Recorder Ensemble. Lisete has recently recorded two CDs of music by Dornel and Bach’s ‘Musical Offering’ available on the NAXOS and Somm labels.

Nicholas Stringfellow plays viola da gamba, baroque and modern cello with a number of different ensembles. He is principal cellist with Mid Wales Opera and the Orchestra of the Swan and has appeared as guest principal with Welsh Chamber Orchestra and Southern Sinfonia. Nicholas also works with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Viva! on a regular basis. As concerto soloist Nicholas has most recently performed Tchaikovsky’s “Rococo Variations” with the Sheffield Chamber Orchestra and the Monn cello concerto with Milton Keynes Sinfonia. Nicholas teaches cello and chamber music at the Lady Eleanor Holles School and has given masterclasses in Orkney and in Stratford on Avon.

Ricardo Barros is a harpsichordist, baroque dancer and prolific academic. Since completing his PhD thesis he often publishes articles in journals and presents papers in international conferences. At the moment Ricardo divides his time between dancing, playing, managing his Mercurius Company, choreographing, teaching master-classes and summer courses, giving lectures in Baroque dance and harpsichord, working as a vocal coach and teaching the harpsichord and baroque dance.

For more details about Spirituoso see http://www.spirituoso.co.uk/

Forthcoming Events

Booking line: 020 7399 1953

Sunday 21 February 2010, 3pm - 4pm
La Querelle des Bouffons
A programme exploring the French and Italian vocal styles. Click here for more information.
Tickets: £13/ £11 concession

Sunday 11 April 2010, 3pm - 4pm
Camerata Fiorentina
An exciting insight into 17th-century music-making following the new 'stile rappresentativo', a style of singing that sparked a revolution in compositional techniques in Europe. Click here for more information.
Tickets: £13/ £11 concession

Previous Events

October 2009

Music of the Spheres
A fascinating insight into how music was perceived in the 17th and 18th centuries, exploring the mystical connotations proposed by musicians and theorists relating music composition and performance, with astronomy, philosophy and faith. Spirituoso link the work of the astronomer and physicist Johannes Kepler and musical theorist and composer Walther, amongst others, to offer a rare insight into musical composition and how it relates to planetary proportion, the notion of divine harmony enriched and informed music-making.

November 2009
Dangerous Liaisons
A programme exploring the intensely passionate relationship between composers, which sparked off the creation of some of the most beautiful music in the grand siècle.

Handel House would like to thank The Richard and Ingrid Pilkington Charitable Trust for their support of the Ensemble-in-Residence scheme.