Documents |
| Ensemble Matheus press quotes |
Download |
| Jean-Christophe Spinosi biography |
Download |
| Jean-Christophe Spinosi press quotes |
Download |
| Jean-Christophe Spinosi short biography |
Download |
ENSEMBLE MATHEUS
"...a splendid band, the Ensemble Matheus, received one ovation after another."
Suddeutsche Abendzeitung
INTRODUCTION
As a young and accomplished violinist, Jean-Christophe Spinosi founded Ensemble Matheus in 1991. This group of baroque musicians, under the helm of their founder, have established a strong presence together throughout France and Europe and continue to excite increasing interest in concert halls and opera houses throughout the world.
They have appeared in the major festivals and halls of Paris (Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, Opéra de Paris and Théâtre du Châtelet) and abroad, notably at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, in Brussels, Vienna, Salzburg, New York, Washington, Prague, Venice, Berlin and Bologna, as well as Spain and Asia. Artists they collaborate with include Matthias Goerne, Sandrine Paiu, Philippe Jaroussky, Verónica Cangemi, Jennifer Larmore, Marie-Nicole Lemieux, Marjana Mijanovic and many more. Other triumphs include new productions of The Magic Flute in Bilbao and Rossini's Barber of Seville in Oslo. The remarkable success of their staging of La Pietra del Paragone at the Théâtre du Châtelet resulted in a residency for the Orchestra at the Théâtre that started in 2007. Most recently, the Ensemble Matheus and Spinosi have had major successes at the Salzburg Festival with Philippe Jaroussky, and at the Theater an der Wien with Handel's Messiah in a staged production. Both have led to immediate reinvitations.
The discs and recordings of Ensemble Matheus and Spinosi have gained huge critical acclaim worldwide and have won a multitude of awards including the Diapason d'Or, Choc de l'année du Monde de la Musique, Premio internazionale del disco Antonio Vivaldi in Venice, Grand Prix de l'Académie Charles Cros, Prix Caecilia in Belgium, Victoire de la Musique Classique. They also achieved the BBC Music Magazine Award two years running in 2006 and 2007 for their recordings of Vivaldi's Orlando Furioso and Griselda on the Naïve label.
The 2008/09 season has seen the Ensemble Matheus and Spinosi extending their repertoire to Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte (Paris and debut in Munich) and Monteverdi’s Les Vêpres de la Vierge. This season has also seen the development of the relationship between the Ensemble and counter-tenor Philippe Jaroussky, who performed a special ‘Farinelli’ programme in France and Germany to huge critical acclaim.
Back to Top
|
MULTIMEDIA
Hear Jean-Christophe Spinosi conducting the Ensemble Matheus & countertenor Philippe Jaroussky in an extract from Vivaldi's Ottone in villa:
Jean-Christophe Spinosi conducts the Ensemble Matheus in the opening Sinfonia of Vivaldi's Griselda:
|
Back to Top
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
All concerts conducted by Jean-Christophe Spinosi
2008/09
» June 2009
Mozart tour with flautist Emmanuel Pahud
Het Concertgebouw, Amsterdam
Mozart, Haydn
» June 2009
Farinelli concert with soloist Philippe Jaroussky
Klangvokal Festival, Dortmund (Konzerthaus) & Salzburg Festspiele
Vivaldi, Giacomelli, Duni, Hasse, Telemann, Porpora
» 16 June 2009
Mozart tour with flautist Emmanuel Pahud
Châtelet, Théâtre Musical de Paris
Mozart, Haydn
2009/10
» September 2009
Handel & Haydn concert with Stephanie D'Oustrac
Ambronay
Vivaldi, Haydn
» November - December 2009
Bach Christmas Oratorio (sections 1, 3 & 6)
Brest, Luxembourg & Paris
With Netta Or (soprano), Renata Pokupic (mezzo-soprano), Tilmann Lichdi (tenor), Robert Gleadow (bass)
» January 2010
Bellini Norma (6 performances)
Venue: Châtelet, Théâtre Musical de Paris
» April – May 2010
Rossini Barber of Seville (10 performances)
St Petersburg, Brest, Toulouse, Valladolad, Barcelona
Back to Top
REVIEWS
Ensemble Matheus & Philipe Jaroussky / ‘Farinelli’ programme
"[Jaroussky] is "Singer of the Year" and he fulfilled his role as superstar of the high falsetto in an impressive way with coloratura and tender lyric singing carried along and supported by the brilliant Ensemble Matheus under the direction of Jean-Christophe Spinosi."
Ruhr Nachrichten, June 2009
Vivaldi la fida ninfa / Naïve
"One aria of scorching invention follows another, often bedecked with nimbly illustrative orchestral finery. An aria addressed to gentle breezes? The orchestra whispers, just above the level audibility. An aria hinged on the metaphor of a serpent? Bring on fast-curling, encircling strings. In the hands of Jean-Christophe Spinosi’s bubbly Ensemble Matheus, every effect hits home, uncrippled by arch mannerisms of rhythm or tone…In the hands of Spinosi’s crack team, La fida ninfa is a spectacular baroque rediscovery, and resistance is pointless."
The Times, June 2009
“This excellent [recording of La Fida Ninfa] is the first to include all the music, to retain all the vocal roles at their intended pitches and to realise, often irresistibly, the pastoral charm of Vivaldi’s music. There are several outstandingly effective numbers of which, the most precious jewel is the vitally motivated wheel of fortune trio which concludes Act I. Altogether a splendid achievement by Jean-Christophe Spinosi and his musicians.”
BBC Music Magazine, Music Choice, 5 stars, March 2009
“The most constant joy of the disc is to be found in Jean-Christophe Spinosi’s conducting, always emotionally powerful, and ever full of surprising details and wonderfully infectious energy.”
Classic FM Magazine, March 2009
Mozart Cosi fan tutte
"...the performance of ‘Cosi fan tutte’ was nothing less than a dream... a splendid band, the Ensemble Matheus, received one ovation after another. Spinosi wedded the rhythms of the 18th century with the blossoming sounds of the 19th century and the sovereignty of contemporary lovers – an absolute dream."
Suddeutsche Abendzeitung, November 2008
“Spinosi and his fabulous period orchestra, unforgettably named Matheus, gave the music all that it required. Sometimes eccentric, other times cheeky, then sentimental and austere once again – Spinosi stubbornly avoided the established pomp and circumstance of the Mozart which the older members of the audience may have preferred to hear, with leaps and bounds à la Bernstein.”
Munich Abendzeitung, November 2008
Vivaldi Nisi Dominus / Philippe Jaroussky / Naïve
"Jean-Christophe Spinosi directs Ensemble Matheus with brio and style."
Financial Times, April 2008
“…Jaroussky’s expressive delicacy is beguiling and he is everywhere accompanied with acute sensibility by Ensemble Matheus.”
BBC Music Magazine, April 2008
“The period-instrument Ensemble Matheus here numbers 20 string players… The playing is both eloquent and sprightly, and Jean-Christophe Spinosi directs the performances with fine feeling for Vivaldi’s colour and textures…”
International Record Review, March 2008
Handel, Vivaldi & Gluck / with Jessica Larmore
“…the Ensemble Matheus was no mere back-up orchestra. Its members may be renowned for their intensive scholarship, but there was nothing prissy or academic about their playing, which was aggressive, vibrant and focused to an absolutely electrifying pitch.”
Washington Post, February 2008
Rossini La pietra del paragone / Naïve (DVD)
“Leading his own exceptional Ensemble Matheus is the young Jean-Christophe Spinosi. There are some hair-raising, breakneck speeds, yet in context they convince totally. Spinosi has thoroughly prepared his instrumentalists and singers – even the most complicated ensembles are under pinpoint control.”
International Record Review, January 2008
Vivaldi 'Heroes' / Virgin Classics
"... exquisite playing from the Ensemble Matheus under Jean-Christophe Spinosi."
The Guardian, January 2007
Back to Top
LINKS
» Ensemble Matheus
» Naïve
Back to Top