MVSICA ANTIQVA NEAPOLIS is an international research center and an instrumental and choral ensemble dedicated to the rediscovery and enhancement of ancient Neapolitan and Mediterranean music. This project has its roots in the musical tradition of one of the richest cities in history and culture in the Mediterranean.
MUSIC AND PUBLICATIONS
An instrumental and choral ensemble specializing in early and archaic music, it performs on period instruments.It comprises internationally renowned musicians and performers who collaborate with early music organizations and ensembles throughout Europe. It draws on solid historical and philological research, respecting the original sources from which it draws its unique and rare repertoire, the fruit of decades of research and in-depth study.
Founded by Vincenzo Lucio Antonio Bianco and Antonio Stefano Sembiante — exceptional musicians with extensive experience in research and international musical practice — the ensemble aims to present, since 2019, exclusively works based on scores and unpublished oral musical traditions. Through this approach, Mvsica Antiqva Neapolis is committed to exploring a musical heritage that is still largely unexplored, bringing to light works that tell forgotten stories and sounds that characterized past epochs. Each performance by the ensemble arises from a rigorous and meticulous work on the original historical sources. The musicians strive to respect the performance practice of the period, ensuring an authentic and engaging experience for the audience. The instruments used are ancient and original, carefully chosen to reproduce the authentic sound of a specific era, transporting listeners on a sonic journey through time.
The ensemble’s repertoire is extremely varied, ranging from ancient Mediterranean musical traditions, characterized by simple melodies and rituals, to the great season of Neapolitan and European music in the 18th century, a flourishing period for music in Italy and beyond. Particular attention is also paid to ancient liturgical repertoire, ancient music for instruments, in medieval period, Renaissance motets and villanella and baroque chamber music, thus offering a broad overview of various musical expressions throughout the centuries. The results of this research translate into unpublished recordings, book publications, and critical editions of scores, concerts, and cultural events in Italy and Europe. The ensemble does not limit itself only to performances but also engages in dissemination and training, actively contributing to the knowledge and appreciation of ancient music.
Furthermore, Mvsica Antiqva Neapolis collaborates with various institutions, conservatories, and organizations specialized in ancient music across Europe, creating a network of cultural and artistic exchanges. Such collaborations not only enrich the ensemble’s repertoire but also foster the birth of new projects and initiatives aimed at promoting and preserving traditional musical heritage. This multidisciplinary and collaborative approach represents one of the fundamental pillars of the ensemble’s work, which aims to establish itself as a reference point in the landscape of ancient music.