Bio Baroque Orchestra B’Rock
EN
Baroque orchestra B'Rock was founded in 2005 on the initiative of harpsichordist, composer and
conductor Frank Agsteribbe, double bass player Tom Devaere and cultural managers Tomas Bisschop
and Hendrik Storme. The orchestra’s home is in Ghent.
Baroque orchestra B'Rock arose from a sense of renewal and rejuvenation in the world of early
music. The core consists of about twenty musicians from Belgium and abroad, specializing in
historically informed performing practice.
Baroque orchestra B'Rock distinguishes itself by a performance-oriented and style-conscious manner
of playing, in which intensity and expression play a central part. The orchestra’s programme is setting
works from baroque literature in a context of lesser known repertoire from the 17th and 18th
centuries. In addition, the orchestra focuses on the implementation and creation of contemporary
music tailored to its historic instruments. Under the name B'Rock XS, the orchestra develops crossborder programmes of chamber music.
Baroque orchestra B'Rock regularly appeals to leading soloists and guest conductors such as Eduardo
Lopèz Banzo, Kristian Bezuidenhout, Christopher Moulds, Alexander Melnikov, Peter Dijkstra and
René Jacobs. As cofounder of the orchestra Frank Agsteribbe also regularly is at the head of the
orchestra.
Baroque orchestra B'Rock plays some thirty concerts per season in Belgium and abroad. The
orchestra performs on the Flemish stages of Ghent (Music Centre De Bijloke, Ghent Festival of
Flanders), Brussels (Bozar, Kaaitheater, Klarafestival, Kunstenfestivaldesarts, Flagey), Antwerp
(deSingel, AMUZ), Bruges (Concertgebouw, MAfestival) as well as on international stages such as Het
Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Early Music Festival Utrecht, Innsbrucker Festwochen der alten Musik,
Konzerthaus Berlin, Musikfestspiele Potsdam Sanssoucci, Holland Festival, Styriarte Festival in Graz or
the Wigmore Hall, London.
In 2012 baroque orchestra B'Rock, conducted by René Jacobs, made its debut at the Royal Opera La
Monnaie in Brussels.
Opera and adventurous music theatre form an important part of the artistic activity. In collaboration
with Belgian production companies such as Music Theatre Transparant and LOD, baroque orchestra
B'Rock regularly creates new works.
Since its launch, baroque orchestra B'Rock has been unanimously praised and welcomed by both the
national and international press.
Baroque orchestra B'Rock is structurally supported by the Flemish Community, the City of Ghent and
the Province of East Flanders.
Bio Baroque Orchestra B’Rock (1/4 A4 page)
Baroque orchestra B'Rock was founded on the initiative of harpsichordist Frank Agsteribbe, double
bass player Tom Devaere and cultural managers Tomas Bisschop and Hendrik Storme. The core
consists of about twenty musicians specializing in historically informed performing practice. B'Rock
distinguishes itself by a performance-oriented and style-conscious manner of playing, in which
intensity and expression play a central part. The orchestra regularly appeals to leading soloists and
guest conductors. Opera and adventurous music theatre form an important part of the artistic
activity. In 2012 B'Rock, conducted by René Jacobs, made its debut at La Monnaie in Brussels.