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Heralded for its “full-bodied and radiant sound” (The New York Times) and “stunning precision of harmony, intonation, and . . . spectacular virtuosity” (Gramophone Magazine), Lorelei Ensemble is recognized across the globe for its bold and inventive programs that champion the extraordinary flexibility and virtuosity of the human voice. Led by founder and artistic director Beth Willer, Lorelei has established an inspiring mission, curating culturally-relevant and artistically audacious programs that stretch and challenge the expectations of artists and audiences alike. Recognized for its rich and diverse vocal palette, the ensemble is celebrated for its compelling delivery of Willer's “exact, smooth, and stylish” programming. (The Boston Globe).
Lorelei Ensemble is creating a living repertoire for a living audience, working with today’s leading composers to commission more than 65 new works that expand and deepen the repertoire of sounds, timbres, words and stories that women use to reflect and challenge our world. This new repertoire for women’s and treble voices demands fierce flexibility and openness from each artist and listener, allowing unparalleled music making that is born from the unique position of power and cultural influence that women hold. Collaborating composers include David Lang, Julia Wolfe, George Benjamin, Kati Agócs, Lisa Bielawa, Kareem Roustom, Jessica Meyer, Christopher Cerrone, Sungji Hong, Reiko Yamada, Peter Gilbert, Scott Ordway, James Kallembach, John Supko, and many more. Current projects and commissions include Julia Wolfe’s Her Story, Christopher Cerrone’s Beaufort Scales, Elijah Daniel Smith’s Suspended in Spin, Katherine Balch’s songs and interludes; works in progress by Angélica Negrón and Ayanna Woods; and a new collaborative program called BREATHE featuring composer-performers Charlotte Greve, Wendel Patrick, Ken Thomson, and Jason Treuting.
Recordings document and preserve the work of Lorelei and its collaborators for future artists and audiences. On the Cantaloupe, Cold Blue, New Focus, Sono Luminus, and BMOP Sound labels, Lorelei has recorded the music of living composers Kati Agócs, Peter Gilbert, James Kallembach, David Lang, Jessica Meyer, Scott Ordway, and Julia Wolfe, as well as historical repertoires from William Billings, Guillaume Du Fay, Alfred Schnittke, Tōru Takemitsu, the Turin Codex, and the Codex Calixtinus. Recent releases include Christopher Cerrone’s Beaufort Scales (2024, Cold Blue Music), I long and seek after with Jessica Meyer (New Focus Recordings, 2024), and James Kallembach’s Antigone: The Writings of Sophie Scholl (New Focus, 2022). Named Critic's Choice by Opera News, David Lang’s love fail (Cantaloupe 2020) was described as “a work that channels poignancy through harmonic and melodic clarity” (The Road to Sound). WQXR raved about Impermanence (Sono Luminus 2018), ”Utterly gorgeous . . . The group’s . . . probing interpretations of works both ancient and modern makes for instantly affecting listening.” Forthcoming are recordings of Julia Wolfe’s Her Story with the Nashville Symphony (NAXOS, 2025), and an EP of Scott Ordway’s North Woods (New Focus, 2025).
Lorelei Ensemble maintains a robust national touring schedule, including collaborations with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (May Festival), National Symphony Orchestra, Nashville Symphony Orchestra, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra, A Far Cry, and Cantus, and performances at celebrated venues across the country, including Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Tanglewood Music Center, Boston's Symphony Hall, Trinity Church Wall Street, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts.
Committed to education, Lorelei is empowering young artists to be our next creative leaders through its work with rising performers and composers at children’s choirs, high schools, and colleges and universities across the country. Cultivating both individual and collaborative artistry, Lorelei helps young artists hone their skills to become flexible, perceptive, and open-minded musicians. Past residencies include work with singers, ensembles, conductors, and composers at the Eastman School of Music, Harvard University, Yale University, Duke University, Bucknell University, University of Iowa, Cornell University, Luther College, Vassar College, Macalester College, Mount Holyoke College, Connecticut College, Hillsdale College, Keene State College, Gordon College, the Pennsylvania Girlchoir, Princeton Girlchoir, and the Connecticut Children’s Chorus.
Founded in Boston in 2007, Lorelei Ensemble’s artists are based across the United States and maintain active performing and teaching schedules.
