baroque

Christophe Rousset (born 1961) is a French harpsichordist and conductor, specializing in the performance of baroque music on period instruments. Born in Avignon, Rousset grew up in Aix-en-Provence and developed an interest in the harpsichord during his early teens. His studied at the Schola Cantorum in Paris under Huguette Dreyfus and from 1980 to 1983 he attended the Royal Conservatory at the Hague under Bob van Asperen.

Café Mozart was founded by Derek McCulloch in 1985 to explore the repertoire of the late 18th century for performances with period instruments. The group performs up and down the UK in venues of all shapes and sizes, and also in Germany. The main focus of Café Mozart’s work is that of ‘Haydn in England’ and
his association with other English composers in the 1790s. CDs include Goethe & the Guitar, with an award from the British Academy, Hail Windsor Crown’d with lofty towers, music written in or for the royal town of Windsor in the 18th century...

Danielle de Niese is an American soprano born in Australia from Dutch-Sri Lankan heritage. She became famous in her portrayal of Cleopatra in William Christie's production of Händel's Giulio Cesare from 2005. She was only 21 at that time. She has recently signed with Decca and in august 2007 she will release her first recital album, which will consist of Händel arias only. This will again be a collaboration with conductor William Christie.

The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields is an English chamber orchestra. The group was founded in London by Sir Neville Marriner, attracting some of the finest players in London, many of whom considered themselves as refugees from conductors. Its name comes from Trafalgar Square's St Martin in the Fields church, in which its first concert was performed, on November 13, 1959. The initial performances at St Martin's church were as a small, conductorless string group, and played a key role in the revival of baroque performances in England.