Period

:

Medieval

 

 

Renaissance

Genre

:

Choral

 

Diabolus in Musica is a French classical music ensemble that specializes in medieval and Renaissance music. The group was founded in 1992 by Antoine Guerber, a French musician and musicologist who had previously worked with the Ensemble Gilles Binchois. Guerber's vision for Diabolus in Musica was to create a group that would explore the rich and diverse musical traditions of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and bring them to life for modern audiences. The ensemble's name, Diabolus in Musica, is a reference to the medieval concept of the "devil in music," which referred to the tritone interval (also known as the "diabolus in musica"), a dissonant interval that was considered to be the sound of the devil. The name reflects the group's interest in exploring the darker and more mysterious aspects of medieval and Renaissance music. Over the years, Diabolus in Musica has become one of the most respected and acclaimed ensembles in the field of early music. The group has performed at major festivals and concert halls throughout Europe and North America, and has released numerous recordings that have received critical acclaim. The ensemble's core members include Antoine Guerber (director, percussion, and voice), Estelle Boisnard (voice), Eric Mentzel (voice), and Serge Goubioud (voice and percussion). The group also collaborates with a number of other musicians and ensembles, depending on the repertoire and performance context. One of the highlights of Diabolus in Musica's career was their performance at the 2000 Festival de Saintes in France, where they presented a program of medieval music from the Codex Las Huelgas, a manuscript from the 14th century that contains some of the most important and beautiful examples of medieval polyphony. The ensemble's performance was widely praised for its clarity, precision, and emotional depth, and helped to establish Diabolus in Musica as one of the leading interpreters of medieval music. Another notable performance by the ensemble was their 2005 concert at the Cité de la Musique in Paris, where they presented a program of music from the 13th century Spanish manuscript known as the Cantigas de Santa Maria. The concert featured a multimedia presentation that combined live music with images and animations inspired by the manuscript's illustrations, creating a vivid and immersive experience for the audience. In addition to their live performances, Diabolus in Musica has also released a number of highly acclaimed recordings. Some of their most notable albums include "Cantigas de Santa Maria" (2004), "Missa L'homme armé" (2006), and "La Fête de l'Ane" (2010), which features music from the medieval French tradition of the "Feast of the Ass," a popular festival that celebrated the donkey as a symbol of humility and devotion. Over the years, Diabolus in Musica has received numerous awards and accolades for their work. In 2003, they were awarded the prestigious Diapason d'Or for their recording of the Codex Las Huelgas, and in 2007 they received the Choc de l'année award from the French magazine Classica for their recording of the Missa L'homme armé. The ensemble's recordings have also been nominated for Grammy Awards and other international honors. Today, Diabolus in Musica continues to be a leading force in the world of early music, exploring the rich and diverse musical traditions of the Middle Ages and Renaissance with passion, skill, and creativity.

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