Alexander Bonus, Founding Director of The Forces of Virtue, is a young conductor who also maintains an active career as an early music performer. As a performer, he specializes in both the Cornetto and Baroque Trumpet, and is regularly engaged by organizations such as the Boston Early Music Festival, the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, Apollo's Fire, the Newberry Consort, Santa Fe Pro Musica, Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra, and Chicago Opera Theater. In addition, Alexander Bonus appears in recitals throughout the country, and has appeared with Baroque trumpet soloist Niklas Eklund in New York. In June 2003, Alex performed in Boston's Jordan Hall with the world-renowned ensemble Tragicomedia.

Mr. Bonus founded The Forces of Virtue in 2003 to perform some of the greatest unknown music of the Renaissance and Baroque eras. Through the ensemble's programs, he strives to relate past culture to our contemporary life and society. Alex has lectured at the Eastman School of Music, Northwestern University, DePaul University, Roosevelt University, the Newberry Library, and Chicago Opera Theater. He holds MM and BM degrees from the Eastman School of Music, where he studied performance, conducting, and early music.

In 2004, Alex performs with Apollo's Fire in Handel's, Chicago Opera Theater, St. Clement's Orchestra, and New Trinity Baroque among other organizations. On May 5, 2004 The Forces of Virtue presented a recital with Alex playing cornetto which was broadcast live on radio (WFMT) from the Chicago Cultural Center.

Mr. Bonus is also a professional record producer. He recently finished a project with baroque bassoonist Michael McCraw, which features the little heard French bassoon works of Philidor, Corrette, and Marais. It will appear on the Centaur label in the coming year. Other projects include Bach's Goldberg Variations with harpsichordist David Schrader, which was released in May 2004.

See Alexander Bonus performing baroque trumpet in a recent Forces of Virtue concert.
Hear Alexander Bonus lecture on early music. Coming soon.