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Garrick Comeaux
Founder & Artistic Director
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Consortium Carissimi
Consortium Carissimi was conceived of by Garrick Comeaux, Artistic Director, in 1996 while living in Rome, Italy. He founded Consortium Carissimi in 2007 as an official nonprofit, 501 (c)(3). This Minnesota-based performing ensemble has the mission of uncovering and bringing to 21st century audiences the long-forgotten Italian baroque music of the 16th and 17th centuries. It does so through live concerts, master classes, recordings and publications. Consortium Carissimi bears the name of the famous composer whose music was known for its simple, fresh approach to text, melody and accompaniment.
Much of the music that Consortium Carissimi performs has not been heard since it was first created in the 16th or 17th century—and it is only through the transcriptions of these original documents that this music may be heard today. The unique strength that Consortium Carissimi possesses is that it has in its library over 200 transcriptions of these long-forgotten works. Currently, there are no other organizations in the United States that have transcriptions such as these. As a result of this uniqueness, Consortium Carissimi contributes to the cultural vitality of the Minnesota community in four key and distinct ways:
- Performances: the ensemble of mixed voices and instruments performs at least three concerts annually of repertoire from the Italian-Roman sacred and secular music of the 16th and 17th centuries.
- Educational programs: Consortium Carissimi conducts master classes with educational institutions located in Minnesota and Tri-State area. Master classes include intense studies of vocal and instrumental practices of 16th and 17th century Rome.
- Manuscript transcription and publication: Consortium Carissimi is the only organization in the United States that has in its library transcriptions of over 200 manuscripts of this time period, including the complete works of Giacomo Carissimi.
- Recordings: Consortium Carissimi intends to extend public access to and knowledge of this musical tradition through digital recordings.
Our Volunteer Board of Directors & Staff
Consortium Carissimi is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Minnesota.
Are you interested in volunteering as a Board Member or at one of our concerts? We’d love to hear from you! Contact us and we’ll send you information on how to join us.
Covid Policy & Accessibility
Covid Safety
The safety of our audiences, performers, and volunteers is our highest priority at Consortium Carissimi.
Before your visit our concert venues, we ask that you take note of the following measures we’ve put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Face masks
Face masks are recommended for all patrons while inside our performance spaces and foyers, including during the performance.
Stay home if you feel unwell
Please do not attend a Consortium Carissimi event or visit our concert venues if you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, are waiting for a COVID-19 test result, or have recently been in contact with a confirmed case.
COVID-19 safety during a concert
While attending a concert we ask that you please continue to practice COVID safety and take the following measures:
- Where possible, remain physically distanced and leave 1.5 meters between you and other patrons.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, and make use of the hand sanitizer located around the venue.
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow and avoid hand-on-hand contact.
- Our volunteers are here to make your experience an enjoyable one, and we ask that you are patient with us as we continue to navigate these changes.
- As a conditions of entry, all patrons who visit a Consortium Carissimi concert venue are assumed to understand there remains a risk of COVID-19 transmission, even if you are fully vaccinated. By entering the venue you acknowledge and agree to this.
- Please consider your well-being and health needs when making your decision to attend one our concerts.
Accessibility
Welcome. Consortium Carissimi is committed to making our events accessible, inclusive and barrier-free so that everyone can enjoy them. Where possible we aim to select venues that provide accessible seating options, accessible toilets and assistive hearing technology. We welcome patrons with Disability Identification and Assistance Animals. If you have any questions about accessibility or would like to book accessible seating, please contact us below.