Ars Choralis Coeln
With its research and performance of music manuscripts from women’s monasteries and music by women in the Middle Ages, the women’s ensemble has made an international name for itself in the medieval music scene. The Cologne group focuses specifically on the repertoire of Hildegard von Bingen and develops many intercultural and interreligious projects.
About the artists
Specialists in music from the women's convents of the Middle Ages
Since its foundation in Cologne in 2004, the women's ensemble Ars Choralis Coeln around Maria Jonas has managed to establish itself internationally in the medieval music scene. It has been a guest at numerous festivals such as Montalbane, Styriarte, the MDR Music Summer, the Schleswig Holstein Music Festival or the Festival Voix et Route Romane.
The research and performance of music manuscripts from women's monasteries and music by women in the Middle Ages is the main focus of the work. From the beginning, the repertoire has focused on the music of Hildegard von Bingen. But as a Cologne ensemble they also regularly perform the repertoire of the almost endless wealth of manuscripts in the library of Cologne Cathedral.
Numerous CDs, many of them co-produced with the WDR, give evidence of the ensemble's creative work: among others, three CDs with music by Hildegard von Bingen and most recently a CD with music from the manuscript of Dominican nuns from the monastery of Paradiese (b. Soest).
Under the direction of Maria Jonas, the ensemble regularly develops intercultural and interreligious projects: This is a new and important focus that has been added in recent years.
Artists:
Stefanie Brijoux, voice & harp
Uta Kirsten, Pamela Petsch, Cora Schmeiser, voice
Corina Marti, portative
Lucia Mense, flutes & monochord
Amanda Simmons, voice & bells
Direction: Maria Jonas, voice
