is an
early music
Early music generally comprises Medieval music (500–1400) and Renaissance music (1400–1600), but can also include Baroque music (1600–1750). Originating in Europe, early music is a broad musical era for the beginning of Western classical m ...
ensemble based in
Paris and directed by .
Biography
The ensemble was founded in 2002 by Jay Bernfeld,
viola da gamba, and
Patricia Lavail,
recorder. Its name refers to the rebirth of the
Phoenix and illustrates the ensemble’s desire to revive forgotten scores, often in original juxtapositions.
Fuoco E Cenere is singled out by its repertoire ranging from the
Middle Ages to the beginning of the 20th century. More than a thousand years of music that have been recorded on 10 discs. The ensemble appears in various forms, both instrumental and vocal, ranging from 2 to 10 artists.
The adventure began in 2002 with "Fantasy in Blue", a program featuring works by
Purcell and
Gershwin, with mezzo-soprano
Rinat Shaham
Rinat Shaham ( he, רינת שחם) is an Israeli born mezzo-soprano who has received numerous accolades for her international operatic, concert and recital performances.
Life and career
Shaham was born in Haifa, Israel; to a musical family. She ...
. The CD was hailed by Le Monde as "a real knockout".
Petrarch’s 700th birthday (2004) was marked by a tribute program with
Guillemette Laurens. In 2006, Canta Napoli was a journey through 400 years of Neapolitan songs and its great singers.
In 2007, Fuoco E Cenere’s interpretation of
Marco da Gagliano’s
La Dafne
''La Dafne'' (''Daphne'') is an early Italian opera, written in 1608 by the Italian composer Marco da Gagliano from a libretto by Ottavio Rinuccini. It is described as a ''favola in musica'' (fable set to music) composed in one act and a prologu ...
was awarded an Orphée d'Or by the Académie du Disque Lyrique.
The ensemble first theatrical endeavor Je Suis Ton Labyrinthe was staged by David Lippe in 2008, during a residence at the International Institute of Puppetry of
Charleville-Mézières. A mix of live music and object theater, the production starred
Isabelle Poulenard
Isabelle Poulenard (born 5 July 1961) is French contemporary soprano.
Poulenard was born in Paris. Her work has generally been focused on music of the French Baroque, however, she has performed and recorded George Frideric Handel and Georg P ...
and
Guillemette Laurens and was recorded on the Arion label as Umana e Inumana. Pulcinella was created in 2009 in collaboration with the Neapolitan puppeteer master Bruno Leone, and allowed the music of
Pergolese to meet the art of burattinaio. This program was presented at the International Museum of Puppetry in Sicily and at the
Cité de la Musique in Paris.
Complètement Toqué was created in 2013 during a residence at the Théâtre de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines and has been performed more than 35 times in Europe and North America. This musico-culinary fantasy staged by Véronique Samakh was conceived as a nod to the recognition of the culinary and gastronomic know-how of
France, raised to the rank of
World Heritage by
Unesco. The CD Judith & Esther, divine destinies (2014) highlights the universal stories of two biblical heroines. The concert performances benefit from the on stage participation of illustrator Fred Bayle.
In 2015, Fuoco E Cenere began a collaboration with
Canal + for its original creation, the TV series
Versailles, featuring the ensemble’s musicians both on screen and on the soundtrack for the three seasons.
This collaboration inspired a program of the same name, reflecting the omnipresence of music at the Court of
Louis XIV.
In 2017, Jay Bernfeld paid tribute to a comrade of four decades with a CD covering 25 years in the life of
Marin Marais.
Fuoco E Cenere performs both in France and internationally with appearances under the auspices of Early Music Vancouver, Froville Festival, Montreal Baroque Festival, Music at St Paul's in Delray, Festival Via Stellae, La Dame des Aulnes, Music and Beyond in Ottawa, Montansier Theater in Versailles, Riches Musicales de la Rotonde, Musik + in Austria, Festival Midis Minimes in Belgium, St Michel en Thiérache Festival, Reims Opera, Folles Journées de Nantes... and others.
Several of the premieres of its shows were given at the Tropical Baroque Music Festival of the Miami Bach Society.
Discography
* Fantasy in Blue,
Purcell &
Gershwin – ATMA Classique (2001)
* Suites, Sonatas & Concerto for Viola da Gamba,
Boismortier
Joseph Bodin de Boismortier (23 December 1689 – 28 October 1755) was a French baroque composer of instrumental music, cantatas, opéra-ballets, and vocal music. Boismortier was one of the first composers to have no patrons: having obtained a r ...
– OGAM (2002)
* Salmi di Davide,
Benedetto Marcello – ATMA Classique (2004)
* Gentil Mia Donna,
Petrarca e la musica – Arion (2004)
* Pièces de violes,
Louis de Caix d’Hervelois – Arion (2005)
* Canta Napoli – Arion (2006)
*
La Dafne
''La Dafne'' (''Daphne'') is an early Italian opera, written in 1608 by the Italian composer Marco da Gagliano from a libretto by Ottavio Rinuccini. It is described as a ''favola in musica'' (fable set to music) composed in one act and a prologu ...
,
Marco da Gagliano – Arion (2008)
* Umana E Inumana,
Alessandro Scarlatti
Pietro Alessandro Gaspare Scarlatti (2 May 1660 – 22 October 1725) was an Italian Baroque composer, known especially for his operas and chamber cantatas. He is considered the most important representative of the Neapolitan school of opera.
...
et
Francesco Durante – Arion (2010)
* Judith & Esther – Cordes & Âmes (2014)
* Folies d'Espagne & Pièces de viole,
Marin Marais - Paraty (2017)
References
External links
Fuoco E Cenere websiteMiami Bach Society website
{{Authority control
Early music groups
Musical groups from Paris
Musical groups established in 2002
2002 establishments in France