Ariosto Ensemble | Choir

The Ariosto Ensemble is a project ensemble focusing on music from the 15th and 16th centuries: from the Renaissance to the early Baroque.

The ensemble's name is derived from Ludovico Ariosto (1474-1533), an Italian epic and lyric writer, a favorite at the Ferrara court of the renowned ducal family of that period, the d'Este. His renowned epic poem "Orlando Furioso" inspired numerous composers of the Renaissance and Baroque periods to use parts of this work as a source of inspiration for their compositions.

The company continues to give concerts in varying formations, with singers and instrumentalists carefully selected from professional or highly trained amateur musicians who have an affinity for the music being performed. Because the vocal group strives for high historical authenticity, participants are expected to learn to read and sing from the mensural notation found in old manuscripts. This system, without a score or barlines, offers more information about a piece's performance than current music notation—such as subtle rhythmic nuances and flowing melodic lines—and is particularly well-suited to singing polyphonic music. This practice ensures captivating, high-quality performances.