Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Baroque

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

Il Ruggiero is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 2012 by a group of talented musicians who shared a passion for early music. The ensemble is based in Italy and is named after the famous knight Ruggiero, who is a character in the epic poem Orlando Furioso by Ludovico Ariosto. The founding members of Il Ruggiero were violinist and artistic director Marco Ceccato, harpsichordist Andrea Friggi, and soprano Roberta Mameli. They were later joined by other talented musicians, including cellist Gaetano Nasillo, violist Stefano Barneschi, and tenor Emiliano Gonzalez Toro. Il Ruggiero specializes in performing music from the Baroque and early Classical periods, with a particular focus on the works of Italian composers such as Antonio Vivaldi, Arcangelo Corelli, and Claudio Monteverdi. The ensemble is known for its virtuosic performances and its commitment to historical accuracy, using period instruments and playing styles to recreate the sound of early music as it would have been heard in its original context. One of the highlights of Il Ruggiero's early career was their performance at the 2013 Festival Oude Muziek in Utrecht, the Netherlands. The ensemble's concert, which featured works by Vivaldi and other Italian composers, was praised by critics for its "exquisite musicianship" and "impeccable ensemble playing." This performance helped to establish Il Ruggiero as one of the leading early music ensembles in Europe. In 2014, Il Ruggiero released their debut album, "Vivaldi: La Stravaganza," on the Glossa label. The album, which features Vivaldi's famous set of violin concertos, was widely praised by critics for its "sparkling energy" and "impeccable technique." It was also nominated for a prestigious International Classical Music Award in the Baroque Instrumental category. Since then, Il Ruggiero has continued to perform and record extensively, earning critical acclaim for their performances of works by composers such as Corelli, Monteverdi, and Georg Philipp Telemann. In 2017, the ensemble released their second album, "Monteverdi: Madrigali Guerrieri et Amorosi," which features a selection of Monteverdi's famous madrigals. The album was praised by critics for its "sensitive and nuanced performances" and its "impressive attention to detail." Il Ruggiero has also collaborated with other leading musicians and ensembles in the early music world, including the vocal ensemble Vox Luminis and the violinist Giuliano Carmignola. In 2019, the ensemble performed with Carmignola at the Festival de Musique Baroque de Pontoise in France, where they received a standing ovation for their performance of Vivaldi's "Four Seasons." In addition to their performances and recordings, Il Ruggiero is also committed to education and outreach. The ensemble regularly gives masterclasses and workshops for young musicians, and they have worked with organizations such as the European Union Baroque Orchestra and the Accademia del Ricercare to promote early music and historical performance practices. Il Ruggiero's members are all accomplished musicians in their own right, with extensive experience performing with other leading ensembles and orchestras. Marco Ceccato, the ensemble's founder and artistic director, is a highly sought-after soloist and chamber musician who has performed with groups such as the Academy of Ancient Music and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.

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