Jay Bernfeld considers the rich cultural life of his native New York an integral musical apprenticeship. Following his studies at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, Jay Bernfeld appeared with Hesperion XX in concerts and recordings.
Newly installed in Paris, he participated in several of the exciting early recordings of William Christie’s Arts Florissants. He toured and recorded extensively with the Capriccio Stravagante and directed with Skip Sempé a series of ‘first operas’ for the Ambronay Festival, the Athens Concert Hall and Versailles Opera Royal.
Jay Bernfeld has been hailed for his work on the Basso Continuo, that key element in the art of Baroque accompaniment. He is passionately interested in the rediscovery and development of 17th century Theater and opera as witnesses the repertoire of Fuoco E Cenere, the ensemble which he directs.