La Compañia formed in 1997 to perform music of the renaissance and early baroque. Directed by Danny Lucin, the ensemble brings together Australia’s leading specialists on period instruments, creating a consort rich in possibilities.

A line up of historically important instruments allows for exciting sound combinations reflecting the various instrumental groupings of the period. The group follows the sixteenth century performance practice of ornamentation, diminution and embellishment. Their vibrant musicianship combined with their improvisatory skills has established La Compañiaʼs reputation with both audiences and critics for presenting dynamic performances.

Setting benchmarks in Australian early music performance, their innovative programming has unearthed some of the most beautiful and fascinating music of the 16th and 17th centuries delighting audiences with many Australian premieres. The group is also in demand to perform larger scale polyphonic works of the period, such as their highly acclaimed performances of Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610.

La Compañia’s credits include concert performances, major Australian arts festivals, international feature films, television appearances, live national and international radio broadcasts, Musica Viva performances and touring, CD recordings including their 2012 release Ay Portugal on ABC Classics and their current subscription series at Melbourne Recital Centre. The ensemble was nominated in The Age ‘Top Five 2010 Classical Concerts’ and in 2012 they made their European festival debut in a sold out concert at Tage Alter Musik Regensburg, Germany.

Danny Lucin – director