Founded: 1991 - Phildalphia, PA, USA

The Ama Deus Ensemble founded by Valentin Radu in 1991 on the occasion of the Mozart Bicentennial, combines with the Vox Renaissance Consort to make up Vox Ama Deus, a Philadelphia-based musical organization which since 1987 has specialized in authentic performances of vocal and instrumental music of the 15^th through 18^th centuries. Ama Deus, focused on the music of the Classical and Baroque periods, is made up of sing­ers trained in early performance practice and an orchestra of authentic period instruments. Ama Deus has earned the attention of Philadelphia audiences and critics for its perform­ances of such works as the Beethoven Missa Solemnis, and the Mozart Requiem, Grand Mass in C Minor, Coronation Mass and Solemn Vespers, and late symphonies. For nine consecutive Good Fridays, Ama Deus has brought to Philadelphia audiences Bach's crowning achievement, the B Minor Mass (BWV 232).

The Ama Deus Ensemble has been featured on New York television and Philadelphia classical radio and has earned critical acclaim for its CD recordings including its first, Händel's Messiah, released internationally in 1994 on ESX/VOX Classical label. In 1994 Ama Deus offered Philadelphia area audiences original in­strument performances of Monteverdi's opera L'Orfeo and, in 1995, of Händel's opera Acis and Galatea, both featuring critically acclaimed soprano Julianne Baird. Its respective CD recording was released in 1996 on the ESX/VOX Classics label. In addition, the Ama Deus Ensemble has released two Christmas albums, Glad Tidings, released in 1995 on the Warner label and in 1996 on Sony Classical, and A European Christmas, for Helicon. Ama Deus recorded the Bach B Minor Mass (CD released in 1996) by ESX/VOX Classical label - recorded separately were the Bach Magnilicat (BWV 243) and Orchestral Suite 111.

More recently, Ama Deus had two new releases in record stores across the country: the Vivaldi Gloria and Magnificat on the Newport Classic label, and the Ensemble's first all-instrumental CD, Baroque Fireworks, on Helicon.

Source: Vox Ama Deus Website
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (November 2006)

Valentin Radu: Short Biography | Ama Deus Ensemble | Recordings

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