The orchestra La Folia Barockorchester was founded in
Dresden in 2007, dedicated to
historically informed performance. Founder Robin Peter Müller is its artistic director and
concert master. It is named after "
La Folia", a Baroque form inviting to bold creativity. The orchestra is focused on the music of the 17th and 18th centuries, such as works by
Antonio Vivaldi and
George Frederic Handel. The musicians from Dresden are especially interested in music performed at the
court of Dresden, including music by
Johann Adolph Hasse,
Johann David Heinichen and
Antonio Lotti. In 2017, they made the first recording of rediscovered anonymous violin concertos, titled
Rediscovered Treasures from Dresden. The works were found in
Schrank No. II behind the organ of the
Dresden Hofkirche, where they had survived several fires. The cabinet contained manuscripts that
Johann Georg Pisendel, concert master of the Hofkapelle for 40 years, had made as copies when traveling and studying in Italy. The musicians chose not to try to discover the identity of the composers, but let the music speak for itself. A reviewer noted: The size of the orchestra varies depending on the project, from a small ensemble to a
late-Baroque orchestra. They have collaborated with notable soloists, including
Dorothee Mields,
Regula Mühlemann,
Hille Perl,
Simone Kermes,
Dorothee Oberlinger,
Maurice Steger and
Jan Vogler. In 2021, a concert in the Basilica of
Eberbach Abbey as part of the
Rheingau Musik Festival presented music from Baroque opera, mainly Purcell's
King Arthur and
The Fairy-Queen, with four vocal soloists including
Anna Prohaska. Titled "Glorious Revolution", it was aired live by many stations as part of the ARD Radiofestival. == Recordings ==