Accademia Bizantina (AB) was founded in Ravenna in 1983. The essence of Accademia Bizantina's music lies in exploring the origins of Baroque stylistic language, which it investigates without adding, removing, or altering the sounds of period instruments. This distinctive interpretative approach was established in 1996 with the appointment of its director, Ottavio Dantone, a true expert in the expressive qualities of Baroque music.
Dantone’s strategy, shaped by extensive experience and ongoing philological study, has equipped Accademia Bizantina to address any repertoire thoroughly and authentically as an orchestra. The ensemble’s ability to convey the composer’s true intentions to the audience is a valuable asset that has garnered national and international recognition and collaboration.
Every performance by Accademia Bizantina, which has collaborated with the esteemed concertmaster Alessandro Tampieri since 2011, offers an unexpected journey through time. Their performances are a remarkable balance of technique, skill, rigour, interpretative culture, intuition, and stylistic precision.
Accademia Bizantina has recorded for numerous prestigious labels, including Decca, Harmonia Mundi, Deutsche Grammophon, Naïve, Alpha, Onyx, and HDB Sonus. The ensemble has received several distinguished awards, such as the Diapason d'Or, Midem, Choc di Classica, Opus Klassik, Grammy Music Award, and Gramophone Awards. They have also enjoyed notable collaborations with renowned musicians, including violinists Viktoria Mullova and Giuliano Carmignola, countertenor Andreas Scholl, and contralto Delphine Galou.
Accademia Bizantina has performed at some of the world’s most prestigious theatres and festivals, such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Centre in New York, Wigmore Hall and the Barbican Centre in London, Théâtre des Champs Elysées in Paris, and Opera Royal in Versailles. Their performances have also taken place at Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Bozar in Brussels, Pierre Boulez Saal/Staatsoper in Berlin, Kölner Philharmonie, Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, ENCPA in Beijing, Shanghai Concert Hall, Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, Theater an der Wien in Vienna, National Music Auditorium in Madrid, L’Auditori in Barcelona, and Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome.
Image: ©Giulia Papetti