ILLUMINARE, founded in 2006 as the Carmina Women’s Ensemble, focuses on music of the medieval through Baroque eras composed or arranged for women’s voices. The name symbolizes the ensemble’s efforts to illuminate the glorious music of the past, often overlooked today. Just as beautiful initial letters, or illuminations, add beauty and meaning to medieval manuscripts, the group strives to enhance and enrich the lives of its listeners through its performances.
Illuminare has performed at the National Presbyterian Church, Anderson House, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral, the Mansion at Strathmore, and First Night Alexandria. They have sung with Eya, the Countertop Quartet, Slaveya, and the Capitol Hill Chorale, as well as with sibling ensemble Carmina. Illuminare’s performances for the Washington Early Music Festival have been favorably reviewed by The Washington Post.
Carmina and Illuminare presented a Fringe Concert at the 2017 Boston Early Music Festival, and the groups regularly participated in the Washington Early Music Festival. Both were invited to take part in the Washington Arts Group’s 2007 international convocation in a showcase performance, An Evening of Brillance, Past and Present, which also featured several internationally known artists and ensembles. Area choral directors honored Carmina and Illuminare in 2016 with the Choralis Foundation’s Greater Washington Choral Excellence “Ovation” Award for Best Chamber Choir. The next year the groups shared an “Ovation” nomination for Most Creative Programming.
Illuminare’s two CDs can be purchased through this website and at concerts.