Soloists of Catherine the Great

SOLOISTS OF CATHERINE THE GREAT is a Russian baroque ensemble formed in 2002 by the St. Petersburg International EARLYMUSIC Festival. The members of the ensemble combine performing with research and educational activity. This approach has led to the reconstruction of a complete picture of Russian music in the 18th century which had previously existed only in the form of theoretical hypotheses by music experts. Besides premieres of Russian orchestral and chamber music, the ensemble has been instrumental in the reconstruction of operas, ballets and dramas. Little-known or totally forgotten European music occupies an important place in the ensemble’s repertoire. The “Soloists” devote particular attention to the stylistic characteristics of playing, which altered significantly in the course of the century. A permanent partner of the ensemble in its theatrical projects is the St. Petersburg Ballet Angiolini, directed by Klaus Abromeit (Berlin), Russia’s only professional baroque dance company, also formed by the EARLYMUSIC Festival.