# Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir

> Dutch ensemble, led by Ton Koopman and specialized in Baroque music

**Wikidata**: [Q478511](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q478511)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amsterdam_Baroque_Orchestra_&_Choir)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/amsterdam-baroque-orchestra-choir

## Summary
The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir is a Dutch musical ensemble founded in 1979 by Ton Koopman, specializing in Baroque and classical music. Based in Amsterdam, the group functions as both an orchestra and a choir, performing repertoire led by its founder and conductor.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1979 by Ton Koopman.
- Formation location: Amsterdam, Netherlands.
- Leadership: Ton Koopman serves as musical conductor.
- Instance type: Orchestra and Choir.
- Genre: Classical music; specialized in Baroque music.
- Record label: Erato Records.
- Website: http://www.amsterdambaroque.nl.
- Wikipedia languages available: ca, commons, cs, de, en, es, fr, it, ja, nl, no, ru (12 languages total).
- ISNI: 0000000120343914.
- VIAF ID: 141242139.
- MusicBrainz Artist IDs: fed3aea9-0069-4970-9344-522066f0b0c1, 7573ab88-b3ee-424a-84ec-3f8581385e5d.
- GND ID: 16006234-2.
- Discogs Artist ID: 836666.
- Spotify Artist ID: 2CMg8J0WjftvFR5zFbufVA.
- AllMusic Artist ID: mn0000810892.
- Library of Congress Authority ID: n84028918.
- Bibliothèque nationale de France ID: 139745227.
- National Library of Israel J9U ID: 987007605346905171.
- NACSIS CAT Author ID: DA07348701.
- CiNII Research ID: 1140845216647228672.
- Commons Category: Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir.

## FAQs
**Q: Who founded the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir and when?**
A: The ensemble was founded by Ton Koopman in 1979 in Amsterdam. He continues to lead the group as its musical conductor.

**Q: What type of music does the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir perform?**
A: The group specializes in Baroque music within the broader classical music genre. It performs as both a full orchestra and a choir.

**Q: What record label is the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir associated with?**
A: The ensemble is associated with Erato Records for its recorded output.

**Q: Where can I find more information about the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir online?**
A: The official website is amsterdambaroque.nl, and they have a presence across multiple music platforms including Spotify, AllMusic, and Discogs.

## Why It Matters
The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir represents a significant force in the historically informed performance movement, particularly within the Baroque and classical repertoire. Under the leadership of Ton Koopman since its inception in 1979, the ensemble has contributed to the preservation and interpretation of Baroque music, bringing historical works to contemporary audiences. The dual structure of orchestra and choir allows for comprehensive performances of large-scale choral works, distinguishing it from purely instrumental period-instrument groups. Its extensive discography and global reach through Wikipedia in 12 languages underscore its international influence and accessibility to classical music enthusiasts worldwide.

## Notable For
- Being a dual-function ensemble comprising both an orchestra and a choir.
- Continuous leadership by founder Ton Koopman since 1979.
- Specialization in Baroque music performance.
- International recognition evidenced by Wikipedia articles in 12 languages.
- Extensive catalog of recordings under the Erato Records label.
- Presence across major music databases and streaming platforms (Spotify, Discogs, AllMusic, MusicBrainz).
- Holding multiple international library authority identifiers (Library of Congress, BnF, GND, ISNI, VIAF).

## Body

### Leadership and Foundation
The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir was founded in 1979 by Ton Koopman, a Dutch conductor, organist, and harpsichordist. The ensemble was formed in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and has remained under Koopman's leadership throughout its existence. He serves as the musical conductor, guiding the artistic direction and performances of both the orchestral and choral components.

### Organizational Structure
The ensemble is classified as both an orchestra and a choir, allowing it to perform a wide range of works that require instrumental accompaniment, vocal performance, or both. The group is also known by several aliases, including Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, Amsterdam Baroque Choir, ABO, Musica Antiqua Amsterdam, and The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra. It has specific identifiers for its orchestral and choral components in the Dutch catalog system (nl_cr_aut_id): xx0069363 for the orchestra and xx0069362 for the choir.

### Musical Focus and Output
Specializing in Baroque music, the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir operates within the classical music genre. Their work includes performances and recordings of period-specific repertoire. The ensemble has a recorded output associated with Erato Records, a label known for classical music.

### Digital and International Presence
The ensemble maintains a significant digital and international footprint. Its official website, amsterdambaroque.nl, serves as a primary information source. The group has a Wikipedia presence in 12 languages (Catalan, Commons, Czech, German, English, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Dutch, Norwegian, and Russian), indicating a broad global interest. It is listed on major music platforms including Spotify (Artist ID: 2CMg8J0WjftvFR5zFbufVA), Discogs (Artist ID: 836666), AllMusic (Artist ID: mn0000810892), and has multiple MusicBrainz artist identifiers. The ensemble also has a Yale LUX ID (group/0b37cd8b-c171-4493-909b-c9578a7d8080) and a Jaxsta profile ID.

### Library and Authority Records
The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir is indexed in numerous international authority files and library systems, reflecting its recognized standing in the musical community. These include the International Standard Name Identifier (ISNI: 0000000120343914), the Virtual International Authority File (VIAF: 141242139), the German National Library (GND: 16006234-2), the Library of Congress (ID: n84028918), the Bibliothèque nationale de France (ID: 139745227), the National Library of Israel (J9U ID: 987007605346905171), and the NACSIS CAT in Japan (Author ID: DA07348701). The group also holds a Freebase ID (/m/0gfnw0) and a Great Russian Encyclopedia portal ID (amsterdamskii-barochnyi-orkestr-i-khor-533d62). An image of the ensemble from 2009 is available via Wikimedia Commons.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. MusicBrainz
3. CiNii Research
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File