Foundling Baroque Orchestra and Women’s Advocacy Project is a brand new musical enterprise dedicated both to excellence in music and to helping women and children in need. The group takes its name from the 18th- century Venetian foundling homes that took in orphaned and destitute babies and girl children, gave them a general as well as a musical education, and formed from their ranks an astonishing virtuoso orchestra, whose work supported the orphanages and attracted the attention and musical acclaim of all of Europe. Vivaldi composed many of his most beloved instrumental works for the musicians at one of these orphanages, l’Ospedale della Pietà.

FOUNDLING’s founders aim to create a world-class period-instrument string band of 13-15 women, a collaborative ensemble of extraordinary musicians committed to their art and to women’s empowerment; and then to bring this tremendous artistic resource to bear on the needs of women and children in our New England communities. Foundling’s concerts will feature the members of the orchestra and distinguished guest artists as soloists, and will combine virtuosity and scholarship with a commitment to social advocacy and public awareness, to bring the magic and excitement of 17th-and 18th-century music to New England audiences.