“He studied with Graciela Pomponio, Dolores Costoyas and Víctor Villadangos in the Conservatorio Provincial Juan José Castro, in Buenos Aires, where he obtained his Diploma in classical guitar.

After studying in Universidad de Buenos Aires, he obtained his degree as sociologist in 1993. During the first years of his musical career, he focused mainly on 20th century music.Soon after, in 1994, he gained interest in early music, specializing on lute, theorbo, baroque guitar and thorough bass, becoming the first theorbo player in Argentina.

His continuous relationship with Eduardo Egüez, Dolores Costoyas, and Hopkinson Smith allowed him to support his own research in this field. ..”

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"Luciano Contini was born in Sassari, Sardinia, in 1958.

After completing his guitar studies with A.Marrosu and O.Ghiglia with awards in various competitions, he began, in the 1980's to dedicate himself to performance practice of renaissance and baroque music, and began playing the lute, exclusively.

From 1982, after graduating cum laude in musicology from the University of Bologna, he continued his studies at the famous Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, Basel, Switzerland, with H.Smith, E.Dombois and J.Christensen.

He began an intense concertistic career which carried him to Europe, the two Americas and Japan, performing for such prestigious institutions as the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde and the Konzerthaus in Vienna, the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris, the Staatsoper in Berlin and the Teatro alla Scala in Milano with musicians like A. Curtis, B.Dickey, C.Banchini, J.Christensen, R.Clemencic, J.Savall, R.Muti. " See website for more information. (ed.)

“ .. In 2009 Andrew  has formed and directs a revolutionary new ensemble: Consort Astræa, whose début project: "Harmonious Revolutions: Galileo & The Music of the Spheres", he created for the 2009 International Year of Astronomy, during which it has seen four highly successful performances in such culturally important venues as The State Library of New South Wales (as part of the Sydney Italian Festival), The National Press Club of Australia (for the Inaugural Higher Education Conference for Universities Australia), and Elizabeth Bay House.    A 'live renaissance multimedia happening', it features music from the Galilei family & the Florentine Camerata, scripted tableaux in the form of Socratic dialogue from writings of the Galilei circle, synchronised with projection of spectacular astro-photography by Professor David Malin (discoverer of two galaxies), and was made possible with generous sponsorship from the National Academies Forum and The Royal Society of New South Wales.

 With Sydney-based soprano Anna Fraser & Melbourne-based viola da gamba virtuosa Laura Vaughan, he has also formed a trio: The Muses' Salon, introducing Australian audiences to the most enchanting & intimate chamber music of the Renaissance & Baroque periods on these rare instruments.

Andrew has taught lute performance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, tutored at early music workshops around Australia, and in his private Sydney teaching practise .“

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"Formed under the expert guidance of Patrice Connelly, the Society was incorporated on 23 June 2000. Since that time it has a proud record of achievement in serving the needs of players in Australia and New Zealand by holding workshops and producing both a regular newsletter and a journal 'Chelys Australis'. The most recent issue was volume 6 and details are on this web site."

"Laura Vaughan is gaining a reputation as Australia’s most exciting viola da gamba and lirone player of the rising generation and has had a distinguished list of teachers including Wieland Kuijken, Philippe Pierlot, Miriam Morris and Anneke Pols. Following her return to Australia from studies at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague in 2004, she has established a busy schedule of teaching and performing from her base in Melbourne and performs a wide range of solo and chamber repertoire across Australia, Europe and the United States. Passionate about the sound world of the viol, Laura is committed to bringing this exquisite repertoire to audiences around the world." Visit website for more information. (ed.)

"Born in Melbourne, Australia, Rosemary Hodgson has lived and worked abroad, performing in Britain, Portugal, Sweden, Germany and Venezuela.

Since her return to Australia in 2000, Rosemary has been in constant demand. Her recent engagements include Richard Mill's opera Batavia with the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra, Monteverdi Vespers in the Melbourne Early Music Festival, Monteverdi Madrigals with e21, Backgammon Baroque Tasmanian tour, Bach St John's Passion with the Australian Baroque Ensemble, Vivaldi Vespers with The Choir of Newman College and guest soloist in the Palestrina Project's Victoria Requiem.

As a freelance musician, Rosemary balances accompanying, solo and continuo performances and teaching. She has appeared frequently on ABC television and radio, Channel Seven and 3MBS and is featured on La Compania's CD Music of the Spanish Renaissance (Move). Her debut solo recording, rosa, was released in March 2004. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

"When harpist Ann Fierens completed her training at the Hogeschool voor de Kunsten in Utrecht, she was convinced that she should continue her orchestral career. She commenced her continuing education with the iWhen harpist Ann Fierens completed her training at the Hogeschool voor de Kunsten in Utrecht, she was convinced that she should continue her orchestral career. She commenced her continuing education with the intention to follow the same road and to discover the possibilities within the music scene in Belgium. She was given the opportunity to work with Dick van der Harst in an Oxalys production and het Muziek Lod and she played works by Debussy, Ravel, Glière and Fontyn as a soloist accompanied by an orchestra.

Her teacher Erika Waardenburg urged her to dedicate herself to the repertory from the classical period. She soon discovered that the eighteenth century represented a fascinating episode in harp history: the single action pedal harp was invented and soon entered a glorious period when it was introduced to the French court and the Concert Sprituel.

When Ann first met ‘her’ Erard, it was love at first sight. Fascinated by the rich sound of the instrument, she dived into libraries looking for old methods and writings which would teach her how to play and look after her instrument in the best way. The cooperation continued to improve and Ann developed a passion for music, musicians and instruments dating from the 18th and the early 19th century. ntention to follow the same road and to discover the possibilities within the music scene in Belgium. She was given the opportunity to work with Dick van der Harst in an Oxalys production and het Muziek Lod and she played works by Debussy, Ravel, Glière and Fontyn as a soloist accompanied by an orchestra. Her teacher Erika Waardenburg urged her to dedicate herself to the repertory from the classical period. She soon discovered that the eighteenth century represented a fascinating episode in harp history: the single action pedal harp was invented and soon entered a glorious period when it was introduced to the French court and the Concert Sprituel. When Ann first met ‘her’ Erard, it was love at first sight. Fascinated by the rich sound of the instrument, she dived into libraries looking for old methods and writings which would teach her how to play and look after her instrument in the best way. The cooperation continued to improve and Ann developed a passion for music, musicians and instruments dating from the 18th and the early 19th century. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

"The Belgian Lute Academy is an association formed to promote contacts between people interested in lute activities taking place in Belgium. "

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"Hannelore Devaere studied historical harp at the Akademie für alte Musik, Bremen, with Andrew Lawrence-King. Her main focus is on music of Spain and Italy from the Renaissance and Baroque periods . As a soloist she can be heard in many recordings and is often featured on national radio. As a continuo player, she records regularly with many national and international ensembles, including Zefiro Torna, Romanesque, Elyma and Al Ayre Espanol. Hannelore is also a musicologist specialized in 16th- and 17th-century iconography and organology; as such, she has worked for the Museum of Musical Instruments in Brussels. She is a very active lecturer at symposia and music festivals, and is a published scholar.

Hannelore teaches the harp, continuo, improvisation and primary-source reading at the music schools of Tielt, Knokke and Woluwé (Brussels). She is often invited to give masterclasses in Belgium (Festival Van Vlaanderen) and abroad.

Hannelore was the first harpist on record to perform on the ice cap in the Antarctica and has a landing spot under her own name. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

" Raphaella Smits plays worldwide in her unique way eight-string guitars and historical instruments. Solo recitals as well as performances in duo with the most distinguished colleagues. Besides that stage-work she has made 16 albums, many of them being listed as indispensable to refined music lovers.

Raphaella Smits is internationally praised as an inspiring teacher for both guitar and chamber music. In addition to her chair at the Lemmens Institute in Belgium, she regularly gives master classes in West and East Europe, in North and South America and in Japan.

Organizers of international music competitions ask Raphaella as a member of the jury because of her ability to listen and to judge so accurately. Here again she shows her talent to combine professional skills with a great sense of empathy.

Raphaella Smits is called quite rightly "une Grande Musicienne." Visit website for more information. (ed.)