OUR STORY

Founded by Maia Silberstein, La Penserosa, historical music consort, unites professional musicians who share a deep love of music and a belief in its power to speak where words fall short. The consort’s members—hailing from three continents and honored in various international competitions— have performed with renowned ensembles such as Les Arts Florissants, La Petite Bande, Ricercar Consort, Les Muffatti, B’Rock, Anima Eterna and Collegium Vocale.

With a flexible lineup of musicians, La Penserosa brings together talented artists from different generations for both chamber and orchestral projects. Their repertoire, which spans the 16th to the 18th centuries, is performed on historical instruments or faithful replicas. The diverse backgrounds of its members add a unique richness to every interpretation.

Recognized by Art & Vie of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, La Penserosa is dedicated to presenting historical concerts that touch the heart and also to engaging audiences through active musical education and interdisciplinary collaboration. 

The ensemble partners with artists in dance, theater, and visual arts, as well as with choirs, schools, and theater companies, spreading the transformative power of music to a broader community.

MEET LA PENSEROSA

A woman holding a violin and bow, standing in a grand hall with stone columns and dark tiled floor.

Maia Silberstein

VIOLINIST & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Born in San Francisco, violinist Maia Silberstein began her performing career at the age of 16, appearing as a soloist with the Sacramento Symphony in Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto. A graduate of the Juilliard School, she later deepened her exploration of historical performance practice thanks to grants from the Belgian American Educational Foundation and the Flemish Community, studying baroque violin with Sigiswald Kuijken and François Fernandez at the Royal Conservatory in Brussels.

Maia has since taught at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, several Belgian music academies, the Corso Internazionale di Musica Antica in Urbino (Italy), and given masterclasses across California. A silver medalist in the International Schmelzer Competition, she has toured extensively across Europe, Asia, North and South America, recording numerous CDs with renowned ensembles including Les Arts Florissants, La Petite Bande, Ricercar Consort, and Collegium Vocale. She has served as concertmaster for several European baroque orchestras.

A devoted chamber musician, Maia has collaborated with artists such as Enrico Gatti, François Fernandez, and William Christie. Deeply convinced from an early age that music speaks more eloquently than words, she founded her own ensemble, La Penserosa, in Brussels—bringing together professional musicians who share a common goal: to perform historical music that speaks to the heart.

  • A smiling woman with dark hair and a leather jacket.

    Katarzyna Sokolowska

    OBOE

  • Liam Fennelly

    Liam Fennelly

    VIOLA DA GAMBA

  • Young man with brown hair playing a white acoustic guitar, dressed in a black shirt, standing indoors with a blurred background.

    Thomas Langlois

    LUTE / THEORBO / GUITAR

  • A woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a black outfit with a shimmering top, pearl earrings, and a pearl necklace, smiling at the camera with a dark, blurred background.

    Olivia Afendulis

    HARPSICHORD / ORGAN

  • A middle-aged man with gray hair, glasses, wearing a dark suit and white shirt, standing near a piano with a brick wall background.

    Arnaud Van de Cauter

    ORGAN

  • A man with shoulder-length gray hair playing a violin.

    Luc Gysbregts

    VIOLA

  • A woman with brown hair, wearing a black jacket, holding a white and black recorder, looking slightly upward.

    Liesje Vanmassenhove

    RECORDER

  • A woman playing a cello, focusing on her face and the instrument in a performance setting.

    Tine Van Parys

    CELLO

  • A smiling middle-aged woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a white shirt, standing outdoors near a tree.

    Katherine Heater

    HARPSICHORD / ORGAN

  • A woman with long dark hair wearing a black blouse with ruffles and gold jewelry, standing indoors near a wooden wall, looking at the camera with a confident expression.

    Sayuri Nagoya

    HARPSICHORD / FORTEPIANO

What’s in a name?

— “Romeo & Juliet”, William Shakespeare

Our ensemble’s name, La Penserosa, is inspired by Handel’s pastoral ode L’Allegro, il Penseroso, ed il Moderato, though with a subtle transformation. In Handel’s work, Il Penseroso, "the pensive one," embodies contemplation, thoughtfulness, and a connection to the divine. We have reimagined this figure in its feminine form, La Penserosa, celebrating not only the intuitive wisdom often associated with women but also the reflective side of all people.

In a fast-paced world that rushes to act, we are reminded of the power of stillness, time to think, feel, and understand before leaping forward.

Performing music from the 16th to 18th centuries, we honor an era when time was given to art, thought, and expression. Using historically informed performance practice and period instruments, we breathe new life into old music.

Playing works of the past, we touch hearts in the present, a breath of fresh air from distant times.

Group of seven musicians standing in a church, holding traditional instruments including a violin, viola, and bassoon, dressed in formal and semi-formal black and dark clothing.

PRESS

  • “The Passacaglia for solo violin was phenomenal. All violin techniques were used. The virtuosic playing turned everything into something special and ensured that the tension never faded.”

    — Jeanette Vergouwen  
    'Provinciale Zeeuwse Courant' Zeeland, the Netherlands

  • “When Silberstein played 'Sonata prima' by Dario Castello, Eurydice, as well as the audience, were brought to life. What virtuosity in the changing of tones. And then the tempo, at first suffering slowly... then suddenly at a boisterous speed.”

    — Rudolf Hunnik
    'Gooi & Eemlande', Hilversum, the Netherlands

  • “The violinist (Silberstein) played virtuosic decorations on the fundamental notes. The variations on the aria were, technically, melodically, and in terms of phrasing, pure gems. The exquisite violin playing made the audience happy.”

    — Jeanette Vergouwen
    'Provinciale Zeeuwse Courant' Zeeland, the Netherlands