About Ensemble 18+

Chamber orchestra Ensemble 18+ focuses on historically informed, but non-orthodox performance of 18th century music. As indicated by its name, the ensemble also performs the music of the late baroque and classical era to early romantic composers. Initiated by conductor and harpsichordist Vojtěch Spurný, Ensemble 18+ was established in 2009. The basic idea was to apply the principles of historically informed performance of early music while playing the modern instruments. Its setup, which members remain consistent, matches that of Jiří Antonín Benda’s orchestra at the court of Duke Friedrich in Gotha, German. The concertmaster of the ensemble is Magdalena Malá. Ensemble 18+ is frequently performing on chamber music festivals and also contributes to the realization of many musicologist projects, such as the reconstruction of Dove é amore, é gelosia by G. Scarlatti or modern premiere of Pygmalion by J. P. Rameau, performed at Smetana’s Litomyšl. Ensemble’s activities include the performances of J. A. Koželuh’s operas in modern premieres. Many soloist collaborations include artists as Kateřina Englichová, Karel Košárek, Milan Řeřicha, Jiří Bárta, Roman Patočka and many others. Together with Ivan Ženatý, Ensemble 18+ the Czech Republic during the live broadcast of the European Broadcasting Union Christmas Day in December 2018. In 2015, the ensemble participated in recording of baroque oboe concertos (with oboists Vilém Veverka, Dominik Wollenweber and harpsichordist Barbara Maria Willi).