Ensemble Micrologus
Among the many early music ensembles in Italy, Ensemble Micrologus is the longest-established group dedicated to the performance and revival of medieval music. Celebrating more than forty years of activity, the ensemble continues to explore new artistic directions and innovative approaches to interpretation, attracting an ever-growing international audience through concerts in Italy and around the world. Founded in 1984 by the Umbrian musicians Patrizia Bovi, Goffredo Degli Esposti, and Gabriele Russo, together with Adolfo Broegg (1961–2006), Micrologus has created more than sixty productions, some conceived as theatrical performances with sets and costumes, and has recorded twenty-nine CDs. Among its numerous accolades are two “Diapason d'Or de l'Année” awards, the Goldberg Magazine “Best of 2000 Award”, and the Boston Globe’s “Biggest Surprise” recognition in its 2009 list of the year's top classical albums. The ensemble is regularly invited to perform at many of Europe’s most prestigious festivals and concert venues, including the Urbino Early Music Festival, Montpellier Festival, Vienna Konzerthaus, Cité de la Musique in Paris, Southbank Centre in London, York Early Music Festival, Festival des Flandres, and the festivals of Kraków and Jarosław in Poland. It has also undertaken extensive international tours in Japan, Mexico, Canada, and the United States. Micrologus’s work is grounded in rigorous historical and musicological research and is deeply informed by the study of traditional musical practices. This scholarly approach, combined with an exceptionally vivid and engaging performance style, has earned the ensemble recognition as one of the world's leading interpreters of medieval repertoire. Its distinctive sound blends a rich variety of historical instruments with vocal polyphony, making medieval music both authentic and accessible to contemporary audiences. The ensemble has also collaborated extensively with theatre and cinema. In addition to composing and performing numerous film soundtracks, Micrologus arranged and performed the score for the film “Mediterraneo”, directed by Gabriele Salvatores, winner of the 1991 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Between 2007 and 2010, the ensemble participated in the contemporary dance production Myth, created by the Belgian choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, performing throughout an extensive world tour. Thanks to its versatility and openness to different artistic forms, Micrologus has also collaborated with musicians from a wide range of musical traditions, producing recordings and concerts with distinguished artists including Daniele Sepe, Ramberto Ciammarughi, Banco del Mutuo Soccorso, Giovanna Marini, and Vinicio Capossela.
I Giocolari of the Ensemble Micrologus is a branch of the renowned Ensemble Micrologus composed by a smaller group specializing in the medieval tradition of minstrels and itinerant performers. I Giocolari performs some of the most immediately engaging repertoire of the European Middle Ages, including troubadour songs, Carmina Burana, festive songs, miracle tales, ballads, and dances, presented in a variety of languages, including Latin, Italian, French, and German. The group’s performances recreate the spirit of the medieval minstrel tradition, in which voices and musical instruments serve not only as vehicles for music but also as expressive tools for theatrical performance and storytelling. Among the historical instruments featured are several characteristic medieval drones, including the vielle (medieval fiddle), the three-hole pipe and tabor (played simultaneously by a single performer), and the bagpipe.

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Performers of I Giocolari of the Ensemble Micrologus

• Patrizia Bovi – voice and harp

• Goffredo Degli Esposti – three-hole pipe and tabor, transverse flute, double flute, recorder, and bagpipe

• Gabriele Russo – vielle, rebec, shawm, and medieval trumpet

• Enea Sorini – voice and percussion