Featured musicians and ensembles

Arte dei Suonatori

The most recognizable Polish ensemble on the international music scene performing the music of past eras in a historically informed manner formed by violinists Ewa and Arek Golinski. After years of joint and individual experience, the musicians’ artistic search focuses on a constant exploration of the core of the musical language of composers of past eras, which, combined with historical instruments, has led to the creation of a style that is both historical, modern and thoroughly individual. The vast repertoire of this ensemble exceeds 700 compositions, representing a wide-range of styles and forms from the 17th and 18th century as well as the contemporary era.

Over 30 years in operation Arte dei Suonatori have recorded and released 18 albums produced by renowned record companies (including BIS Records, Alpha, Channel Classics), distinguished by international music critics with awards such as Gramophone Award (Recording of the Year: Concerto in 2003 for Vivaldi’s Violin Concerti “La Stravaganza”) amongst many others.

Ananda Brandão

Ananda Brandão’s musical journey began in childhood, nurtured by her parents and an early love for singing. Initially trained in classical piano at the Conservatoire d’Antony, she later discovered her passion for percussion as a teenager. This led her to the jazz department of the CRR Conservatoire de Versailles, where she earned her diploma in percussion.

Her development as a musician was shaped by masterclasses with renowned percussionists like Kendrick Scott and Airto Moreira. A trip to Brazil, her mother’s homeland, proved particularly inspiring when she met the legendary Flora Purim, who encouraged her to follow her musical path. In 2020, she began studying under André Charlier at the prestigious Centre des Musiques Didier Lockwood, where she graduated with honours in 2023. That same year, she took the next step in her career by beginning a master’s degree in jazz at the Royal Academy of Music in London.

Choir of Gonville & Caius College

The Choir of Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge, is one of the UK’s leading collegiate choirs, directed by organist and composer Matthew Martin. With twenty-four singers and two organ scholars, the choir performs a wide range of sacred and secular choral music, from Anglican traditions to newly commissioned works. They sing regular Chapel services, give concerts, record albums, and tour internationally, collaborating with renowned ensembles. Known for reviving forgotten choral works and championing contemporary composers, their recordings have received critical acclaim, including their 2023 debut for Linn Records and upcoming releases in 2024 and 2025.

Ellen Hillingsø

Ellen Hillingsø is an actress known for her iconic voice and strong stage presence. She graduated from Aarhus Theatre’s Drama School in 1994 and has played notable roles on Danish stages and in films, as well as in popular TV series. Ellen is also a renowned audiobook narrator, bringing stories to life with her distinctive voice.

Reiko Ichise

Tokyo​ ​born​ ​viola​ ​da​ ​gamba​ ​player​ ​Reiko​ ​is​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​most​ ​sought​ ​after​ ​musicians​ ​in​ ​the​ ​UK. After reading musicology, Reiko left Japan to the UK to pursue her study of viola da gamba at the Royal College of Music. Reiko’s​ ​passion​ ​for​ ​chamber​ ​music​ ​led​ ​her​ ​to​ ​be​ ​a​ ​member​ ​of​ ​several​ ​prestigious​ ​ensembles such​ ​as​ ​Florilegium,​ ​Passacaglia,​ ​The​ ​King’s​ ​Consort,​ ​Bach​ ​Players​ ​and​ the Elephant House Quartet. Reiko has​ ​made​ ​​numerous critically​ ​acclaimed​ ​cd​ ​recordings​ ​and​ ​radio​ ​broadcasts.​ ​From​ ​2009​ ​to 2017,​ ​Reiko​ ​was​ ​a member​ ​of​ ​award-​ ​winning​ ​viol consort ​Fretwork​ ​with​ ​whom​ ​she​ ​had​ ​a​ ​privilege​ ​in​ ​performing​ ​both old​ ​and​ ​new music. ​

As​ ​a​ ​soloist,​ ​she​ ​is in great demand, regularly​ ​performing with​ ​many​ ​leading orchestras​ ​including​ ​Academy​ ​of​ ​Ancient​ ​Music,​ ​English​ ​Baroque​ ​Soloists,​ ​Gabrieli​ ​Consort, Arte​ ​dei​ ​Suonatori,​ ​Britten​ ​Sinfonia,​ ​Halle​ ​Orchestra,​ ​appearing​ ​in​ ​many​ ​international​ ​festivals and series. ​Reiko​ ​is​ a ​viola​ ​da​ ​gamba​ ​professor​ ​at the Royal College of Music and lives in London.

Ensemble LuX

Ensemble LuX was founded in 2002 and has specialized in both Swedish and international vocal music. The ensemble has earned a reputation for its technical brilliance and clear sound.
Ensemble LuX has undertaken several tours in Sweden and the United States, including a performance at Carnegie Hall. The ensemble’s latest CD, Retrospective, features vocal music ranging from the Renaissance to the present day.

Bolette Roed

Bolette Roed graduated from the advanced solo performance class at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen. Soon after her debut, she was appointed Artist-in-Residence with Danish National Radio and nominated for the Nordic Council’s Music Prize in 2011. She received the Grand Prize of the Jacob Gade Foundation in 2003 and “The Danish Music Critics Prize” in 2014, and was selected for the Danish State Art Council’s “Young Elite” program.

A versatile musician, Bolette works with classical recorder repertoire as well as improvisation, folk, and world music. Her range spans from medieval and baroque to contemporary, and she has premiered numerous works. She continually seeks to expand the recorder’s musical scope.

Since 2004, Bolette has toured as a soloist with ensembles including Arte dei Suonatori, Concerto Copenhagen, the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Holland Baroque, and the Royal Danish Orchestra. She also performs with her own ensembles Alpha, Concert Pastoral, and Elephant House Quartet. Her CD releases include the first-ever recording of Frans Brüggen’s complete arrangements for recorder of J. S. Bach’s solo cello suites and violin partitas, and a selection of Vivaldi’s violin concertos.