The Accademia Strumentale Italiana (= ASI) was founded in Verona in 1981 by the viola da gamba/violone/double-bass player /Alberto Rasi and the harpischordist Patrizia Marisaldi with the specific purpose of recreating the atmospheres of those ancient and illustriuos academies, where the pleasure of meeting one another gave a special flavour to making music together. Its repertoire encompasses instrumental and vocal music ranging from the Renaissance to the early Baroque, performed according to strict philological canons, but without compromising its ability to comunicate with the present: its musicians are convinced that even if the score is ancient, Music is always timeless.
The Accademia has performed extensively in Europe (Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria and Germany) and has been invited to several international festivals where it has always met with widespread critical acclaim.
The members of the Accademia are all renowned specialists in HIP and work together with some of the most famous European ensembles, such as Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, Hespèrion XXI, La Reverdie, Sonatori de la Gioiosa Marca, Europa Galante and others.
The Accademia Strumentale Italiana won the Midem Classical Award 2007 with the CD "Dolcissimo Sospiro" containing music by Giulio Caccini and others.
Since 1991 Alberto Rasi has been the group’s musical director: the ensemble is currently composed of consort of violas, who are joined by guest artists who are invited to partake in larger projects. |