Muzikaal Ensemble Alegría (Vocal & Instrumental Ensemble)

Founded: April 1997 - Brussels, Belgium

The Muzikaal Ensemble Alegría was founded in 1997 by Mannu Wuyts, who continues to be its director. The name Alegría, the Spanish word for “joy”, fits us like a glove: with the music of J.S. Bach, George Frideric Handel, Antonio Vivaldi or W.A. Mozart we want to make the world more beautiful. The Ensemble consists of a choir of music lovers and a professional Baroque orchestra, who share their passion for the finest music, mainly from the Baroque repertoire.

The Muzikaal Ensemble Alegría has ambition. That has always been the case. At the first rehearsal, in April 1997, they immediately chose J.S. Bach's Motet Lobet den Herrn alle Heiden BWV 230. Since then, Alegría has experienced steady growth. Thanks to the efforts and drive of all members, they kept raising the bar. That is why they now proudly offer their audience a varied repertoire with top works from the Baroque period. J.S. Bach's Johannes-Passion BWV 245 and cantatas, or G.F. Handel's Messiah and Coronation Anthems, for example.

The orchestra plays on Baroque instruments. After all, they think it is important that you can experience the music in an authentic, historically informed way. The desire to thoroughly understand the music and the instruments challenged me to build instruments myself. For several years now, their own spinet and chest organ have been given a place on the concert stage as continuo instruments.

Repertoire

Baroque music is the ensemble main tone. That makes sense, if you are a Baroque ensemble. And so the perform pieces by the greatest composers of that period. J.S. Bach at the front, with an extensive repertoire of passions and cantatas. In addition, with equal love: G.F. Handel, A. Vivaldi, Georg Philipp Telemann. They also pay attention to the hidden gems, like Jan Dismas Zelenka and Johann Kuhnau.

So Baroque music. But they also look over the wall. To classism, for example. With the genius from Salzburg as figurehead: W.A. Mozart. Whether they stick to certain lines when choosing the program? Not really. Sometimes they opt for an evening-filling piece. Sometimes they choose a theme. Their most important criterion is: how can they give the audience an unforgettable evening.

J.S. Bach: Cantates BWV 62, BWV 131, BWV 140, BWV 191, BWV 196; Magnificat in D major BWV 243; Johannes-Passion BWV 245; Motet Lobet den Herrn alle Heiden BWV 230; Motet Jesu, meine Freude BWV 227; Mass in B minor BWV 232; Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248.
J. Kuhnau: Magnificat.
J.D. Zelenka: Magnificat; Gratias Agimus Tibi.
G.F. Handel: Laudate Pueri Dominum; Messiah; Coronation Anthems (alle 4); Funeral Anthem for Queen Caroline - The ways of Zion do mourn.
A. Vivaldi: Gloria (RV 588 & RV 589); Magnificat (RV 610); Credo (RV 591)
G.P. Telemann: Deutsches Magnificat ('Meine Seele erhebt den Herrn').
H. Purcell: Hear my prayer; Remember not, Lord, our offences; O, sing unto the Lord.
W.A. Mozart: Requiem, Krönungsmesse.
J. Haydn: Kleine Orgelmis ('Kleine Orgelmesse')

Sources:
Muzikaal Ensemble Alegría Website & Facebook page, English translation by Aryeh Oron (October 2023)
Bits & pieces from other sources
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (October 2023)

Mannu Wuyts: Short Biography | Ensembles: Muzikaal Ensemble Alegría
Bach Discography: Recordings of Vocal Works

Links to other Sites

Muzikaal Ensemble Alegría (Official Website) [Dutch]
Muzikaal Ensemble Alegría page on Facebook