Background
Founded in 1989 by Margaret Irwin-Brandon, [1] the Arcadia Players holds a residency at the Massachusetts Center for Renaissance Studies at UMass Amherst. [2] [3] The ensemble's website states they "embrace historical performance practice to illuminate and invigorate the great Western heritage of vocal and instrumental music." [4]
In 2006, the Arcadia Players released an album with Jaap Schröder, titled Trio Sonatas. [5] The ensemble partnered with The Shakespeare Concerts for several years, releasing three projects through Navona Records. [6] [7] [8]
The Arcadia Players has collaborated with several institutions throughout New England, including the Connecticut Early Music Festival, [9] Dartmouth College, the Hartt School, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, and Yale University. Longtime artistic director, Ian Watson, stepped down in 2019. [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20]
To open the ensemble's 30th Anniversary Season, Margaret Irwin-Brandon (Director Emerita) performed a program at Mount Holyoke College's Abbey Chapel. Woodrow Bynum led another program with the Choir of Men and Boys from Cathedral of All Saints (Albany, New York). [21]
The COVID-19 pandemic delayed the ensemble’s search for a new director, but Andrew Arceci served as the Artistic Director from 2022-2024. [22] [23] In addition to re-establishing the ensemble at the Kinney Center for Interdisciplinary Renaissance Studies (University of Massachusetts Amherst), [24] Arceci brought the ensemble to the Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity, [25] the Shandelee Music Festival, [26] [27] the Winchendon Music Festival, and other venues throughout New England. [28] [29]
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