Ensemble Irini

Founded in Marseille in 2015 by Lila Hajosi, Ensemble Irini is a vocal ensemble specialising in sacred early music from both East and West, between Rome and Constantinople. Its name, meaning “Peace” in Greek, reflects its commitment to intercultural dialogue and to transmitting musical heritage, particularly Georgian Orthodox repertoire, recently inscribed on the UNESCO list.

The ensemble stands out for its polymorphic formation, without sopranos, which lends a distinctive colour to its vocal repertoire, whether Orthodox chant or Renaissance polyphony. Irini is recognised for the quality of its interpretations and for its original programmes, which create bridges between the musical traditions of East and West.

Since its creation, Ensemble Irini has developed a critically acclaimed discography, including Maria Nostra (2018, Choc de Classica), O Sidera (2021), Printemps Sacré (2022–2024, Télérama TTTT, 4 stars from La Libre Belgique), and Janua (2023–2024), which for the first time incorporates early wind instruments to explore the history of the Fall of Constantinople and the union of the Churches.

Ensemble Irini is also open to co‑creations, such as Prophitissai in 2024 with Tom de Cock—combining Lassus, Xenakis, and ancient Greek and Byzantine music—and The Book of Women in 2025, led by the Ictus ensemble. These two works, blending contemporary and early music, are commissions from MA Festival Bruges.

In 2025–2026, Ensemble Irini enters a new artistic chapter with Post Tenebras (spero lucem), its most ambitious project to date, featuring early Venetian and Byzantine repertoire for double choir and brass. The creation of Invictae, a women’s programme returning to the ensemble’s medieval roots, marks its first multidisciplinary production, combining voice, dance, and spatial staging.

Ensemble Irini has been in residence at the Fondation Singer‑Polignac since June 2025.

The Société Générale Corporate Foundation has been a partner of Ensemble Irini since the 2022/2023 season, supporting its development both in the realisation of its artistic projects and in the dissemination of its productions.

For more information