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Naked Fifth was formed in Bloomington, Indiana in 1995 to present a concert of William Lawes' Harpe Consorts and Royall Consorts, as well as music by a contemporary of Lawes, Christopher Simpson. This performance was well-received and served as an inspiration for the group that has culminated in its recent performance at the 1999 Bloomington Early Music Festival as a featured ensemble. The concert was recorded and has received considerable play on NPR's Performance Today.

These recent successes have generated both local and national interest in Naked Fifth, and concert programs are being planned for the coming year. The year 2002 will be the 400th anniversary of the birth of William Lawes, and the ensemble is planning to present three different concert programs for that season. Naked Fifth includes: Alison Attar, baroque harp; Gesa Kordes, violin; Dongmyung Ahn, violin; Mary Burke, viola da gamba; Annalisa Pappano, viola da gamba; Gus Denhard, theorbo; Scott Witzke, theorbo.

Alison Attar's Baroque instrument is a large Italianate triple harp by English harp maker Simon Capp. Built in 1998, this reconstruction is crafted after early 17th century Italian models, including the Barberini Harp in Rome and a painting by Nuovolone (1608-1651) in Milan. The Italian triple harp features three parallel rows of gut strings. The two outer rows of strings are tuned diatonically (like the white keys on a piano) and in unison, while the inner row is tuned chromatically (like the black keys). The offset inner row is accessed by reaching through either outer row. Most triple harps feature about 90 strings and are strung with light tension. The Italian triple harp flourished from the mid-16th century through the mid-18th century, when it was replaced by the single action pedal harp.