Opera Lafayette - The Four Nations Ensemble

Founded in 1986, The Four Nations Ensemble brings together soloists who are leading exponents of period instrument and vocal performance to present great music from the Renaissance through the Viennese Classical masterpieces of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. For more than a decade, Four Nations has developed a leading presence on the early music scene in New York and across the country. With a core ensemble of harpsichord or fortepiano, violin(s), flute, and cello, the Ensemble explores and performs the major masterpieces of the 17^th and 18^th centuries, from trio sonata to piano trio and quartet. Four Nations has performed at major houses and series throughout the United States including The Kennedy Center and Lincoln Center. The Ensemble has participated in festivals such as The Boston Early Music Festival, New York's Mostly Mozart, Amherst Festival, New Haven's International Festival of Arts & Ideas, Virginia Waterfront International Arts Festival, Chautauqua, The Indiana Early Music Festival, The Redwoods Festival in Santa Rosa, California, and Brasilseguridade in Rio de Janeiro.

The Four Nations Ensemble takes its name from one of France's most extraordinary institutions. During the 17^th century, Louis XIV and Mazarin, in order to establish a centralized bureau for the arts to reflect the glory of Versailles and Paris in this golden age, created the College of Four Nations. "Four Nations" alludes to the four monarchies that were considered legitimate by the French crown: France, Spain, Austria and Savoy. It was here the academies of poetry, music, dance, and painting were housed. All these endeavors have created an aura around this great period in French history whose artistic accomplishments continue to enrich our lives as we enter into the 21^st century. François Couperin's exquisite sonatas called "The Nations" allude to this "college" or French Royal "National Endowment for the Arts." The Four Nations Ensemble, in its love for Couperin's music, has adopted the name as its own. Ensemble members include Andrew Appel, Krista Bennion Feeney, Loretta O'Sullivan, and Charles Brink, (clockwise from left in picture). Mr. Appel is the founder and Artistic Director of the Ensemble.

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