Artistic director Annalisa Pappano is a highly sought after performer of the lirone, pardessus, and viola da gamba. She performs throughout the United States and Europe. Pappano has been recognized for bringing together the best international talent to present groundbreaking programs and landmark performances.

Annalisa Pappano studied at Indiana University’s Early Music Institute (Wendy Gillespie) and at Oberlin Conservatory of Music (Catharina Meints). Her playing has been described by critics as “mercurial and enchanting” and “with a sound that is lighter than air with the airy luster of gilding on the mirrors of a rococo drawing room.”

She has performed throughout Belgium and the U.S. and has appeared on nationally syndicated radio. Pappano is a member of Baroque Northwest (Seattle), the Oberlin Consort of Viols, and Les Plaisirs Durables (Brussels, Belgium), and has performed with numerous other ensembles including the Houston Grand Opera, the Cleveland Opera, Opera Atelier (Toronto), American Opera Theater, the Concord Ensemble, Cappella Artemisia with Bruce Dickey (Bologna, Italy), Consortium Carissimi, La Donna Musicale, Mélomanie, Le Nuove Musiche, and Bella Voce.

She has taught at Viola da Gamba Society of America national conclaves, the Viola da Gamba Society Pacific Northwest and Northeast chapters, the San Diego Early Music Workshop, ViolsWest, the Madison Early Music Workshop, and has been a guest lecturer at numerous universities.

Pappano led the Catacoustic Consort to win the grand prize in the Naxos / Early Music America Live Recording Competition and recorded a program of Italian laments on the Naxos label. Pappano teaches viola da gamba at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Upcoming 2008-09 engagements include performances with Portland Baroque, Portland Opera, and American Opera Theatre.

She has taught at Viola da Gamba Society of America national conclaves, the Viola da Gamba Society Pacific Northwest and Northeast chapters, the San Diego Early Music Workshop, Viols West, and has been a guest lecturer on early music performance at numerous universities. She recently completed a performance practice orchestra workshop at Miami University here in Ohio. Pappano is currently teaching viola da gamba at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

You may view her Facebook page here: Catacoustic Consort facebook page.