Accademia de' Dissonanti

Accademia de’ Dissonanti was founded in 2020. As an ensemble and artistic institution, it presents concerts, publications, and educational academies centred on historical performance and creative research under the leadership of artistic director Elinor Frey. A group of flexible instrumentation, Accademia de’ Dissonanti refers to the learned society of the same name founded in Modena, Italy in the early-1680s, and sanctioned by Duke Francesco II d’Este in 1684. Its meetings stimulated discussions on music, poetry, and other fascinating subjects. In June 2023, Accademia de' Dissonanti released their first CD, Jean Baur: Chamber Music (Passacaille), winner of the 2024 Opus Prize for Early Music CD of the Year. Its second CD, Dall’Abaco and the Art of Variation (Passacaille) was released in 2024 and its third CD, CPE Bach Cello Concertos (Channel Classics) will arrive in September 2026.

During its first years, the ensemble has performed tours across Canada, visiting major venues in Toronto, Montréal, Vancouver, Victoria, Kénogami, Waterloo, and Salt Spring Island. In recent seasons, Accademia de’ Dissonanti performed at the Montréal Chamber Music Festival, the Montréal Bach Festival, Calgary Pro Musica, Festival Classica, Musique de chambre à Ste-Pétronille, Music Niagara, and Lachine Festival, among others. In 2025-2026, the ensemble performed at the Isabel Bader Theatre (Kingston), Jeffrey Concerts (London, ON), Les Ondes (Québec), Mississauga Chamber Music, and Arizona Early Music. Continuing its commitment to new music, Accademia de' Dissonanti has commissioned two new works, from composers Michael Oesterle (Canada) and Dalit Warshaw (USA), to premiere in 2027. The 2026–2027 season also includes a series of concerts in Montréal with guest artists Krizstina Szabó (mezzo-soprano), Ensemble Il Gardellino (Belgium), and Yi-heng Yang (fortepiano, USA).