Ensemble il capriccio
Biography Ensemble il capriccio
Franz Vitzthum
received his first musical training with the Regensburger Domspatzen, and completed his vocal studies with Kai Wessel at the Cologne Academy of Music. He has worked with conductors including Hermann Max, Marcus Creed, Vaclav Luks, Wolfgang Katschner and Philippe Herreweghe.
A much sought-after chamber music partner, Franz Vitzthum performs regularly with the lutenist Julian Behr, the fortepiano player Katharina O. Brand, the zither player Gertrud Wittkowsky, the Capricornus Consort Basel and has sung with the vocal ensemble Stimmwerck, which he founded.
As an ensemble singer he has participated and recorded CDs with groups such as Gesualdo Consort Amsterdam (Harry van der Kamp), Cantus Cölln (Konrad Junghänel), Singer Pur, Die Singphoniker, and Ensemble Cinquecento. His versatile activity is reflected in his discography. He also teaches singing at the College of Catholic Church Music and Musical Education Regensburg and at the Dr. Hoch’s Conservatory in Frankfurt.
Ensemble il capriccio
Over the years, the Ensemble il capriccio has developed its own unique mu sical language, focusing on the 18th and 19th centuries and combining well-known repertoire with unfamiliar works in its programs. The use of original instruments is merely the foundation for the vibrant and expressive way in which il capriccio communicates with each other.
The self-managed ensemble, under the direction of Friedemann Wezel, maintains a close partnership with musicians such as Sarah Wegener and Franz Vitzthum, resulting in several radio and CD productions. Il capriccio performs regularly in renowned cultural venues and concert festivals including Ludwigsburg Castle Festival, Halle Handel Festival, Maulbronn Monastery Concerts, Hohenlohe Cultural Summer and Schwetzingen SWR Festival.
The artistic director of the ensemble, Friedemann Wezel, has gained an international reputation, not only as a soloist and chamber musician on modern and baroque violin, but also as a pedagogue. Since 2006 he has held a professorship at the University of Music and Theatre “Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy” Leipzig and regularly teaches masterclasses for violin and historically informed performance practice.
