Cantoría Ensemble
: An Evening in Madrid – “¡A la fiesta!”
- Friday, June 26, 8:00 p.m.
- St. Joseph's Chapel, Reims
CantoríaEnsemble
Inés Alonso | Soprano
Victoria Cassano|Soprano
Belén Herrero | Mezzo
Juan Manuel Morales |Countertenor
Oriol Guimerá |High Tenor
Jorge Losana | Tenor and director
Lluís Arratia | Baritone
David Guitart| Bass
Ignacio Ramal |First Violin
Sara Balasch |Second Violin
Marc de la Linde |Viola da Gamba
Jeremy Nastasi |Theorbo and guitar
Iñaki de la Linde |Percussion
Santiago Gervasoni | Organ & Harpsichord
Throughout the 17th century and well into the following century, the line between the secular and the sacred in Spanish music became so blurred that criticism arose even within the Catholic Church itself regarding the pomp and splendor surrounding certain ceremonies. The Christmas season, in particular, gave rise to full-scale concerts that drew large crowds eager for musical enjoyment. Led by composers such as Cererols, Romero, Murcia, and San Juan, thevillancicosinthe vocal repertoire and thejácarasinthe instrumental repertoire flourished prodigiously, filling the churches with contagious joy.
Undoubtedly one of the most dynamic Baroque ensembles of recent years, the Spanish ensemble Cantoría, led by Jorge Losana, immerses us once again in this radiant music, with flawless virtuosity and irresistible energy. Cantoría will, without a doubt, be a revelation for many.
Biography of the ensemble
Cantoría is a vocal ensemble specializing in the performance of Iberian vocal polyphony from the Renaissance and early Baroque periods. Freshness, naturalness, and a special connection with the audience characterize the ensemble’s performances, as it builds a remarkable national and international career. They have performed in more than 14 countries, bringing Renaissance music to life at Europe’s leading festivals. In 2024, they were ensemble-in-residence at the Oude Muziek festival in Utrecht and made their debuts at Laus Polyphoniae in Antwerp, the Muziekgebouw in Amsterdam, and Wigmore Hall in London.
In addition, they have completed their first U.S. tour and participated in a joint residency at the Ambronay Festival. Also worth noting is their participation this year in the All’Improvviso Festival in Gliwice (Poland), the Brighton Early Music Festival, and the Castell de Peralada Festival.
In this new venture, their director, Jorge Losana, accompanied by soprano Inés Alonso and high tenor Oriol Guimerà, is joined by guest musicians such as Lluís Arratia (baritone), Victoria Cassano (soprano), Marc de la Linde (viola da gamba), Pablo FitzGerald (vihuela), Marina López (organ), Joan Seguí (organ), Jeremy Nastasi (theorbo), Rita Morais (soprano), Belén Herrero (mezzo-soprano), Martí Doñate (tenor), Juan Manuel Morales (countertenor), and Daniel Folqué (countertenor), among others.
In 2022, they released their debut CD at the Ambronay Cultural Center (France), dedicated to Mateo Flecha’s *Ensaladas*, which received major awards such as the “Diapason Découverte” label, the “Melómano de Oro” prize, and the “Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik.” That same year, they presented their innovative show “Lenguas Malas,” a performance exploring satire and language through the music of the Spanish Renaissance.
Founded in 2016 as part of the ECOS International Early Music Festival in Sierra Espuña (Murcia) and emerging from the Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya (ESMUC) in Barcelona, the Cantoría ensemble has distinguished itself through the freshness, youthfulness, and intimacy of its performances. In 2018, it was selected for the EEEmerging+ program, where it won the Audience Award at the Ambronay Festival and continued its journey within the project for three additional years (2018–2021).
In addition to performing at major early music festivals, they have performed at prestigious venues such as the Prado Museum, the National Library of Spain, and the Library of Catalonia.
In 2024, Cantoría entered a new phase, expanding its repertoire and vocal lineup, which led to a significant evolution in its sound and ambitions. For the first time, the ensemble developed programs for a larger number of singers and a chamber orchestra—a challenge enthusiastically embraced by audiences and critics alike. This new format allows Cantoría to explore other compositions and demonstrate its greater versatility.
La Cantoría actively collaborates with institutions such as the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), the University of Murcia, the ESMUC (Catalan School of Music), Pompeu Fabra University for the promotion and revitalization of the Iberian polyphonic repertoire, and the Complutense Institute of Music (ICCMU). It currently receives support from the National Institute of Performing Arts and Music (INAEM) and the Institute of Cultural Industries and Arts of the Region of Murcia (ICARM).
Biography of Jorge Losana
Born in Murcia in 1986, Jorge Losana is a singer, conductor, promoter, and cultural entrepreneur. In 2016, he founded the vocal ensemble Cantoría, specializing in Iberian Renaissance music, with which he has performed in many European countries. His debut album, “Ensaladas,” recorded at the Ambronay Cultural Center (France), was recently released. This album won the prestigious Diapason Découverte Award and the Schallplattenkritik Award. Jorge Losana is also the director of the ECOS International Festival in Sierra Espuña, which brings together the best young international talents in early music every summer in the Murcia region, as well as the Baroque Orchestra and the Early Music Workshop at the University of Murcia. Basel (Switzerland).
Photo: Jorge
After spending several years as a guest artist at the Mannheim University of Music and Performing Arts, he earned a master’s degree in choral conducting from the Murcia Conservatory of Music, studied music education at the University of Murcia, and obtained a master’s degree in classical and contemporary vocal performance from the Catalonia College of Music in Barcelona, where he also specialized in historical singing and earned a master’s degree in early music performance.
She completed her studies by earning a Master’s degree in advanced vocal ensemble studies at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Basel, Switzerland.
He regularly contributes to the media and actively participates in national and international forums on music, youth, and the Sustainable Development Goals. He has conducted choirs such as the Schola Cantorum Alfonso X “El Sabio,” the Murcia Cathedral Choir, the University of Murcia Choir, and the Cororao Vocal Group, among others, and has produced international recordings for labels such as Deutsche Grammophon, Carus Verlag, Ambronay Productions, and Rondeau Production.
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