Ensemble Caprice
Ensemble Caprice, a baroque ensemble which performs on period instruments, was founded by acclaimed conductor, composer and recorder soloist Matthias Maute and has become known for its innovative and adventuresome approach to an increasingly expanding musical repertoire. In addition to its series of concerts in Montreal, the group tours extensively, giving dozens of concerts in Quebec, Canada, the USA, Europe, and even Asia. The ensemble has been invited to perform in prestigious festivals, including the Lufthansa Festival in London, festivals in Bruges (Belgium) and Utrecht (Netherlands), the Felicia Blumental International Festival in Tel Aviv, and, in Germany, the Musikfestspiele Potsdam Sanssouci, the Regensburg early music festival, the Festival Hãndel-Festspiele in Halle and the Stockstadt Festival.
In November of 2009, the New York Times published a lengthy article hailing the musicians’ innovative and refreshing approach, praising them as “imaginative, even powerful; and the playing is top-flight”.
The Ensemble’s recording activity is every bit as impressive, comprising over twenty CD’s on the Analekta label. These recordings have gleaned many honours and much critical acclaim, including a 2009 JUNO award and four PRIX OPUS awards. The Ensemble’s artistic merit and the quality of its work were recognised once again when the group was chosen as a finalist in the music category for the Grand Prix de Montréal and voted “public’s choice.” In addition, Caprice was nominated for the Prix Echo Klassik in Germany and received a glowing recommendation from the prestigious magazine Gramophone.
Caprice has also gained a solid reputation for its videos on the Mécénat Musica noncerto classical music channel.
During the past two years, Ensemble Caprice has given over 100 concerts in 5 countries on 3 continents, and has performed in 11 festivals. In the spring of 2017, Caprice has embarked upon its first Latin American tour and made its 3rd trip to China. In the summer of 2018 went on its first African tour.