The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment is named after the historical period in the late 18th century from which it takes the core of its repertoire. The Orchestra was formed by leading period-instrument players and invites distinguished international musicians to be guest conductors.
The OAE's position in the mainstream of British music-making was confirmed in the Autumn of 1992 when Frans Brüggen and Sir Simon Rattle agreed to become its principal guest conductors and the Orchestra was invited to become 'Associate Orchestra' at the South Bank Centre in London.
Since its highly acclaimed debut in 1986, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment has performed works by composers as wide ranging as Purcell and JS Bach, Haydn and Mozart, Brahms and Wagner. Conductors have included both period instrument specialists - Frans Brüggen, Ton Koopman and Gustav Leonhardt - as well as major personalities from the modern orchestral world including Mark Elder, Andrew Davis, Sir Charles Mackerras, Sir Simon Rattle, Ivan Fischer, Heinrich Schiff and Paavo Järvi.
Highlights of the Orchestra's early performances include Idomeneo with Simon Rattle (1987); regular appearances at the Glyndebourne Festival; the Haydn Series (1989) and the 'Bach the colourful dramatist' series (1992).
In 1991, the Orchestra celebrated 'Mozart Year' with appearances at the Salzburg Festival and in the South Bank Centre's 'Mozart Now'. As its contribution to the Rossini bi-centenary celebration in 1992, the OAE gave the UK premiere of his opera seria Ermione. One of the highlights of the 1993-94 season was the Orchestra's European tour conducted by Simon Rattle. 1994 also mared the OAE's debut at the Edinburgh Festival with two concerts of Beethoven symphonies under Sir Charles Mackerras.
Last season consolidated the Orchestra's reputation for playing 19th century opera on period instruments with highly acclaimed performances of Weber's Euryanthe and Verdi's Simon Boccanegra both under Mark Elder.
1995 also saw the beginning of the Orchestra's new residency at St.
Georges, Brandon Hill, in Bristol, in association with BBC Radio 3 FM.
The 1995-96 season marks the Orchestra's 10th Anniversary. Highlights have included performances of Cosi fan Tutte under Sir Simon Rattle (with a subsequent recording for EMI), Paavo Järvi's first appearance with the Orchestra in a programme of 19th century music and concerts of baroque music with Gustav Leonhardt and Christophe Rousset. Simon Rattle returns to conduct the Orchestra in July 1996 in a performance of Haydn's The Creation. In the summer of 1996, the Orchestra will make its debut at The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in a performance of Verdi's Alzira under Mark Elder and returns to the Edinburgh Festival with a performance of Elijah conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras. The 1996-97 season will include concerts with Frans Brüggen, Ivan Fischer, Roger Norrington, Nicholas McGegan, Paavo Järvi and Bruno Weil, as well as a major European tour with Sir Simon Rattle.
The Orchestra's education programme has developed enthusiastically since it was started in 1994, and helps bring period- instrument performances to a wider audience. Players from the Orchestra take part in projects in local primary and secondary schools, introducing children to music from South Bank concert programmes.
Sony recordings include the Schubert Mass in E Flat Major, D950 (SK 66255) and the Schubert Mass in B-Flat and C (SK 68248), both with Bruno Weil and the Vienna Boys Choir.
