"The first ‘cut above’ was the quality of the orchestra ... Under the leadership of the distinguished violinist Alison Bury, founder member and leader of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, the Academy Baroque Players gathered together an excellent group of instrumentists, all recognisable from their appearances with leading period instrument orchestras. Key amongst them were the continuo group of Andrew Skidmore & Alastair Ross, cello and organ, with additional support from Val Botwright, bass, Kinga Gáborjáni, cello and viola da gamba soloist, and Eligio Luis Quinteiro, lute. Principle soloists were Rachel Stott & Henrietta Wayne, viola d’amore, Rachel Beckett & Christine Garratt, flutes, and Katharina Spreckelsen & Sarah Humphries, oboes."
- Andrew Benson-Wilson
We believe in the importance of performing alongside exceptionally fine musicians and we are delighted to have developed over the years our very own baroque players who bear comparison with many of the country's finest baroque ensembles.
Partnering with musicians of this calibre certainly adds considerably to the quality and appeal of our concerts. The fact that our players are accustomed to playing together for years - both with the Academy Baroque Players and with ensembles such as the Academy of Ancient Music, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and English Baroque Soloists leads to a level of understanding and unspoken communication that adds greatly to the music-making that we aspire to achieve.