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Hespèrion XX

Hespèrion XX, now known as Hespèrion XXI, is a renowned early music ensemble founded in 1974 by Spanish viol player Jordi Savall, his wife soprano Montserrat Figueras, Lorenzo Alpert, and Hopkinson Smith. Savall's vision was to explore the rich tapestry of medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque music, not only by performing it with historical accuracy but also by infusing it with the group's unique vitality and expressiveness. The original name, Hespèrion XX, reflected both the ensemble's focus on European music from the Western Hemisphere ("Hespèria" in Greek) and the contemporary age in which they emerged—the 20th century ("XX"). With the advent of the new millennium, they updated their name to Hespèrion XXI, signifying their ongoing commitment to bringing historical music into the present.

Their discography spans a wide array of geographical regions and historical periods, paying homage to both well-known and obscure works from the musical past. Some of their most recent releases include "Cancioneros del Siglo de Oro," which showcases the rich musical traditions of Spain's Golden Age through collections like Colombina, Palacio, and Medinaceli from between 1451 and 1595, and "Entremeses Del Siglo De Oro: Lope De Vega Y Su Tiempo," which celebrates the sonic world of one of Spain's greatest playwrights. Further embracing the breadth of European music, they have offered a profound interpretation of Johann Sebastian Bach's masterpiece with "J.S. Bach: Die Kunst Der Fuge," while albums like "Court Music And Songs From The Age Of The Discoverers 1492-1553" and "Battaglie E Lamenti" offer a glimpse into the musical cultures surrounding the transformative periods of exploration and conflict in Europe. With their impeccable musicianship and scholarly approach, Hespèrion XXI continues to be an influential force in the world of early music.

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