Musica Nuova takes its name from the book of songs Le Nuove Musiche, published in 1602 by Florentine composer Giulio Caccini.  Caccini was one of the pioneers of monody, a new style of singing that brings out the meaning of the words through ornamentation, varied rhythmic textures, and expressive harmonies.  These dramatic songs were the precursor to opera and oratorio, and mark a turning point in the development of solo song.

Founded in 2008, Musica Nuova reflects three years of collaboration between mezzo-soprano Amanda Keil and lutenist Scott Lemire, who actively perform as recitalists in Boston.  They joined forces with Suzanne Cartreine, harpsichord, and Joshua Schreiber Shalem, viola da gamba, to form a historically-informed continuo ensemble capable of a wide range of expression and musical color.  Collaborators include Bradford Gleim and Thann Scoggin, baritones.

Musica Nuova has already been presented by prestigious local concert series, including the Newton Free Library, the MIT Chapel Series, and Music at St. John’s.  They were selected for the 2009 Society for Historically Informed Performance (SoHIP) Summer Concert Series, and will perform on the Taylor House Concert Series in October 2009. 

Focusing on the early Italian Baroque in their first season, in December 2008 Musica Nuova presented a program at the Brookline Library and Music at St. John’s entitled Consumer Confidence, exploring the mixed emotions of the holiday season.  Their March 2009 program, It’s Complicated, at Newton Free Library and the MIT Chapel Series, recounted the follies of unrequited love.  Audience members have praised Musica Nuova for the "seamlessness" of the program, calling it "fun and engaging" and even describing the dramatic idea as "the Bridget Jones of the 17th Century."