Robert Russell Bennett

American Born 15 Jun 1894 Died 17 Aug 1981
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The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment was founded as a self-governing body in 1986 by some of the finest exponents of period instrument playing in the UK. Their repertoire stretches from Purcell to Wagner and they have virtually cornered the market in performances of romantic works on period instruments.

Performances are given regularly at the Royal Festival Hall, Symphony Hall, Birmingham and St. Geroge's in Bristol; in 2002 the OAE becomes Glyndebourne's "Associate Orchestra". Tours abroad have taken the orchestra all over Europe and in 2002 the OAE will visit South America, with a trip to Japan planned for 2003.

The orchestra has an extensive discography and, in 1994, also established an education and outreach programme, working with school pupils and memebers of the Royal Academy of Music. OAE's conductors have included its prinicpal guest conductors, Sir Simon Rattle and Frans Brüggen, Sir Roger Norrington, Mark Elder and René Jacobs.

"...the OAE consists of such fine ensemble players that, frankly, they could probably make penny whistles and spoons sound like the music of the spheres."  The Observer

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