The Seville Baroque Orchestra (OBS) was founded by Barry Sargent and Ventura Rico in 1995, with the desire to create an ensemble able to perform XVII and XVIII century repertoire vivaciously and with a clear sense of communication. OBS has since then become a major reference on the Spanish music scene.
From its first performances onwards, OBS has always enjoyed the support of the audience and the specialised press. The quality of its performances, as well as the high interest of the programmed works, have always received unanimous critical acclaim.
Amongst the nearly 50 programmes that OBS has offered at the most important venues in recent years, feature works such as Mozart’s Requiem or the Coronation Mass, Haendel’s Messiah, symphonic programmes dedicated to Haydn and C.P.E. Bach… as well as unedited works of great interest, such as the Oratorium “Colpa, Pentimento e Grazia” by A. Scarlatti and many other works by XVIII century Spanish composers (Baguer, Buono Chiodi, Moyá, Moreno, Garay…).
Highlights in the operistic field include OBS’ production of Haydn’s Lo Speziale and Monteverdi’s L’Incoronazione di Poppea in the Maestranza Theatre (Seville) or Purcell’s Dido and Eneas in the Teatre Principal (Palma de Mallorca).
OBS has recorded Haydn’s “Seven Last Words of our Saviour on the Cross” for Lindoro and “Colpa, Pentimento e Grazia” by A. Scarlatti’s for Harmonia Mundi which received an Editor’s Choice Award by Gramophone Magazine, as well as Ritmo´s Parade. Upcoming discographic projects include the recording of Porpora’s Oratorium “Il Verbo in carne” (with Anton Steck), Karl von Ordoñez’s Symphonies (with M. Huggett), and a selection of Iribarren´s Cantatas (with Diego Fasolis).
OBS has been conducted by
musicians of great international prestige, such as:
Monica Huggett,
Pablo Valetti, Rinaldo Alessandrini, Jordi Savall,
Harry Christophers,
Eduardo López Banzo,
Christophe
Rousset,
Hiro Kurosaki, Juanjo Mena,
Jacques
Ogg, Manel
Valdivieso, Josep Pons or
Barry Sargent, the latter as its principal director between 1995 and 2000.
Soloists such as
Carlos
Mena,
Roel Dieltiens, Lluis Vilamajó, Marta Almajano, Nuria Rial, Mariluz Álvarez,
Raquel Andueza, Maite Arruabarrena, Lola Casariego, Jordi Ricart, María
Espada and Monica Piccinini
have also performed with the orchestra.
Monica Huggett has been OBS’ Principal Director since June 2005.
The orchestra will work with
Christophe Coin as a director and soloist
in March 2007, and with
Gustav Leonhardt in December 2007 in a Bach's
Cantatas Programme.
At present, and thanks to the sponsorship of Caja San Fernando, OBS offers a regular concert season in the city of Seville. The orchestra also receives support of the Junta de Andalucía, the Seville Town Council and the Spanish Ministry of Culture. The Orquesta Barroca de Sevilla is founding member of AEGIVE, the Spanish Association of Specialised Instrumental and Vocal Groups.
Principal Director: Monica Huggett
