Introduction

Europa Galante, led by the renowned violinist and director Fabio Biondi, is one of the most loved baroque ensembles in the world. Based in Parma, the group’s repertoire ranges from the operas of Handel and Vivaldi and the oratorios of Alessandro Scarlatti, to the great instrumental works of the 19th century. They have a close collaboration with the Fondazione Santa Cecilia in Rome to find and restore 18th century Italian operas.

Askonas Holt first worked with the ensemble in 2000, when they performed at the BBC Proms with the tenor Ian Bostridge. Since then, Askonas Holt has toured the group around the world in concert and opera performances. They have performed in North, Central and South America including at the Mostly Mozart Festival in New York and Walt Disney Hall in Los Angeles. In the UK, Askonas Holt has brought them regularly to the Barbican Centre and elsewhere, and tours to Europe have included visits to the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Lisbon Gulbenkian, Bergen Festival, the Azores and Istanbul. Askonas Holt has also toured Europa Galante several times to Asia, and as far as Australia and New Zealand.