L'Armonia Sonora

L’Armonia Sonora was founded by Mieneke van der Velden several years ago in order to perform cantatas with a variety of vocal soloists. The ensemble consists entirely of musicians recognised within the early music world both in the Netherlands and internationally, and who teach at various Dutch and international conservatories. The make-up of the ensemble often answers the performance needs of a particular cantata – or even a specific aria – and the programming flexibility thus offered allows for some very varied concerts. In this way, the ensemble can consist of a continuo group only, or be extended by the addition of strings and winds.

L’Armonia Sonora works with renowned soloists such as the bass Peter Kooij, counter-tenor Derek Lee Ragin and countertenor Robin Blaze, and has also performed entirely instrumental programmes, such as L‘Apothéose de Lully in the Utrecht Early Music Festival of 2004 at the invitation of the Stichting Organisatie Oude Muziek. The ensemble recently toured, together with Peter Kooij, as part of the famous Oude Muziek concert series and in Finland, Germany and Mexico, and with Trinity Boys Choir EIGHT.

The debut CD of L‘Armonia Sonora was released on the Ramée label in 2006 and features early German cantatas in cooperation with the bass Peter Kooij. The CD received international acclaim with a five star review in Diapason and a BBC Award.