Founded in 2012 by Ruth Hopkins, K'antu Ensemble explores the less-trodden territories of early music, combining elements of folk and world music with historically-informed techniques. The music of Spain and South America seemed like the obvious starting place - hence the name K'antu, referring to an ancient style of Peruvian and Bolivian music and dance. In 2017, they started collaborating with professional dancers to create immersive, historical events for heritage sites across the UK and abroad.
They are currently promoting their second album, Dancing & the Divine, following the success of Gusto, which has been featured on BBC Radio 3's Late Junction, BBC Introducing, Resonance FM's LSO Soundhub and in Early Music Today Magazine.
In England, these young musicians perform extensively at festivals and venues including Cheltenham Festival, Leamington Music, Newbury Spring Festival, King’s Place and St Martin-in-the-Fields, where they reached the semi-finals of the Chamber Music Competitions in 2014 and 2015. They have also broadcast on Radio 3's In Tune as house band during their residency at the Southbank Centre.
Making a name for themselves on the international stage, they were invited to present a concert for the Göttingen International Handel Festival in Germany and have toured to Hungary, Romania and Egypt.
Their work has been generously supported by an Emerging Excellence Award from Help Musicians UK and the Society of Recorder Players.
They are currently promoting their second album, Dancing & the Divine, following the success of Gusto, which has been featured on BBC Radio 3's Late Junction, BBC Introducing, Resonance FM's LSO Soundhub and in Early Music Today Magazine.
In England, these young musicians perform extensively at festivals and venues including Cheltenham Festival, Leamington Music, Newbury Spring Festival, King’s Place and St Martin-in-the-Fields, where they reached the semi-finals of the Chamber Music Competitions in 2014 and 2015. They have also broadcast on Radio 3's In Tune as house band during their residency at the Southbank Centre.
Making a name for themselves on the international stage, they were invited to present a concert for the Göttingen International Handel Festival in Germany and have toured to Hungary, Romania and Egypt.
Their work has been generously supported by an Emerging Excellence Award from Help Musicians UK and the Society of Recorder Players.