The specialist early musicians of Ensemble OrQuesta Baroque were brought together to perform musically authentic interpretations of 17th century opera alongside Ensemble OrQuesta which was founded in 2013 by artistic director, Marcio da Silva. The ensemble is dedicated to performing both well-loved and lesser-known baroque opera to the highest of standards with period instruments. Every year EO takes professional opera productions to the Grimeborn Opera Festival at the Arcola Theatre, Hackney, and to The Cockpit Theatre, Marylebone.

In recent years the ensemble has extended its UK work to include a range of themed recitals and oratorio performances in collaboration with vocal groups and choral societies in London and the Southeast. Internationally it has taken performances to the Théâtre Basse Passière, Normandy, to the Festival L'Eté au Verger, Veyrier, Switzerland, and, by invitation, to the 2022 Monteverdi Festival in Cremona to accompany a unique devised solo piece including music by Monteverdi, Cavalli, and Carissimi.

Recognised for the ‘excellence’ and ‘energy and verve’ of its performances, the ensemble is proud to include the following amongst its accolades: EO’s Grimeborn Festival production of Handel’s Alcina named No. 4 in The Observer’s ‘Top 10 Classical Music Performances of 2021’; EO’s 2022 production of Monteverdi’s L’Incoronazione di Poppea secured★★★★★ reviews from Plays to See and British Theatre.

EO offers training and performance opportunities for early career specialist instrumentalists and young singers. It has also developed outreach projects, working with primary schools and choirs and amateur musicians to bring baroque music and opera to life through workshops and performance projects.

Benefitting from the support of the Cavalli Foundation, the ensemble is also known for producing new editions of operas which it makes available online free of charge.

Core musicians: harpsichords, lute, baroque guitar, violins, viola da gamba, violoncello, recorders, hautbois, natural trumpet, percussion.