The Sebastians (sebastians.org) are a dynamic and vital musical ensemble specializing in music of the baroque and classical eras. Lauded as “everywhere sharp-edged and engaging” (The New York Times), the Sebastians have also been praised for their “well-thought-out articulation and phrasing” (Early Music Review) and “elegant string playing… immaculate in tuning and balance” (Early Music Today). Their 2018 unconducted St. Matthew Passion with TENET Vocal Artists was called “shattering” and “a performance of uncommon naturalness and transparency” (The New York Times).

Known for their passionate and historically informed performances, the Sebastians have appeared at major festivals and series across the country, including the Princeton Festival, Emerald City Music, Gretna Music Festival, Early Music at Saint James, Music Before 1800, and the Yale Collection of Musical Instruments. Other notable appearances include performances at Trinity Wall Street’s Twelfth Night Festival and Concerts@One series, Early Music in Columbus, the Renaissance and Baroque Society of Pittsburgh, the Academy of Early Music, and Houston Early Music. Their dedication to engaging performances has brought them to audiences in intimate chamber settings as well as larger-scale productions of baroque masterworks.

Recent seasons have included dozens of innovative programs, including collaborations with poets, choreographers, and actors; a musical installation in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine; explorations of musical “immigration” and nationalism; and major works of J.S. Bach. Future plans include a one-per-part Bach Mass in B Minor, collaborations with drag artists and projection designers, educational programs for young musicians, and new video productions—building on the success of their 2018 video of Vivaldi’s La folia, which has garnered over 211,000 views.

Photo by Grace Copeland