ATMA Classique is thrilled to announce plans for a milestone CD featuring viol ensemble Les Voix humaines in the first professional recording made featuring the historic Hart House viols. Henry Purcell’s beautiful 17th-century Fantasias bring these instruments to life for contemporary listeners, and will be available in retail and online outlets in late April.

The collection of six 17th and 18th century instruments known as The Hart House Viols has been at the University of Toronto since the 1930s. Purchased by the Massey Foundation in 1929, Vincent Massey requested that the viols be housed at U of T’s Hart House. In 2008, Susie Napper and Les Voix humaines organized the restoration of the instruments to playing condition for this recording project. In addition to their historic and cultural importance, the instruments are objects of great beauty with intricately carved heads on the scrolls.

Toronto-area audiences will have the opportunity to hear the Hart House viols live in concert in October 30 and 31, 2009, when Les Voix humaines are invited to perform on the Toronto Consort’s 2009/10 season.