The Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra is a period chamber orchestra specializing in historically informed performance of music from the Baroque through early Classical eras. They are based in Santa Monica, California.
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The group was founded in 1993 by lutist Michael Eagan and gambist Mark Chatfield. The group performs regularly at Zipper Hall at Colburn School, as well as the Broad Stage at the Performing Arts Center at Santa Monica College.
Martin Haselböck leads the orchestra as its musical director and conductor. Featured performers and conductors have included Giovanni Antonini, Rinaldo Alessandrini, Harry Bicket, Paul Goodwin, violinist Rachel Podger, and Jory Vinikour.
The orchestra performs both the well-known pieces and lesser known gems of the baroque and classical eras. In addition to established repertory, Musica Angelica has premiered over ten works in the new-music genre.
The group's 2004 premiere of a 1737 oratorio by Nicola Porpora, Il Gedeone, received positive reviews.[1] Most recently, in March 2009, Musica Angelica performed the North American premiere of Antonio Vivaldi's opera, Motezuma.[2]
Notable performances have included a collaboration with actor John Malkovich, in a one man show portraying Austrian serial killer Jack Unterweger.[3]
The group have released several recordings on the German New Classical Adventure label, including works by Teleman, Handel, and Vivaldi.[4]