Austinato

The Early Music Ensemble, Austinato, promotes historically informed performances of vocal and instrumental works from the Middle Ages to the Classical Era using both period and modern instruments. Originally founded in the 1980s, the Early Music Ensemble was revived in 2006. Under the direction of Guido Olivieri, and with the new name, “Austinato” has presented to the university and Austin communities several first modern performances of historical works and has collaborated with local and international institutions and professional groups. In 2011 the ensemble was the recipient of the first College-Level Ensemble Development grant from Early Music America.

The ensemble aims to familiarize both participants and audiences with masterpieces and lesser-known works and composers through a critical study of style and historical performance practices.  Austinato is comprised of university students, faculty, and staff with diverse experience and knowledge of music. The instrumental groups use the ensemble's collection of period instruments which include: harpsichords and early keyboards, viole da gamba, baroque strings, natural trumpets and horns, baroque bassoon, oboe, traverso, recorders, lute, krumhorns, shawms, and more.