Biography

Lorelei Ensemble is internationally recognized for its bold, inventive programs championing 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 challenge artists’ and audiences’ expectations.

Lorelei Ensemble collaborates with leading composers, commissioning 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 allows 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, and Jessica Meyer.

Lorelei Ensemble maintains a robust national touring schedule, including recent collaborations with numerous major symphony orchestras across the United States, in addition to Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra, and performances at Carnegie Hall and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. They make their San Francisco Symphony debut with these performances.

On the New Focus, Sono Luminus, Cantaloupe, and BMOP Sound labels, Lorelei has recorded the music of Kati Agócs, Peter Gilbert, James Kallembach, William Billings, Guillaume Du Fay, Alfred Schnittke, and many others. Recent releases include James Kallembach’s Antigone: The Writings of Sophie Scholl (New Focus Recordings), David Lang’s love fail (Cantaloupe), and Impermanence (Sono Luminus).

(May 2023)