Ensemble Artaserse

In 2002, following numerous collaborations with the most prestigious Baroque ensembles in Europe, several musicians decided to form Ensemble Artaserse. Those performers were Christine Plubeau (viola da gamba), Claire Antonini (theorbo), Yoko Nakamura (harpsichord and organ) and Philippe Jaroussky (countertenor).

They gave their first, highly acclaimed concert at the Théâtre du Palais-Royal in Paris in October 2002 featuring music by Benedetto Ferrari. The recording, released on the Ambroisie label, received numerous awards. Other musicians soon joined the Ensemble and together they have established a reputation as one of the most exciting period instrument ensembles.

With their ability to adapt to various repertoires, with particular emphasis on the music of Vivaldi and Handel, Ensemble Artaserse is at the forefront of the musical scene. Working with Philippe Jaroussky, the Ensemble has appeared at leading festivals and concert halls in Europe, Asia and North and South America.
Ensemble Artaserse has also collabor-ated with various other renowned singers, including countertenor Andreas Scholl, contraltos Marie-Nicole Lemieux and Nathalie Stutzmann, soprano Emőke Baráth and, most recently, Cecilia Bartoli.

Ensemble Artaserse has created a significant discography with Philippe Jaroussky and won numerous awards. The Ensemble’s discs include Ferrari’s Musiche varie a voce sola (Ambroisie-Naïve), virtuoso cantatas by Vivaldi and Beata Vergine, featuring 17th-century Italian music devoted to the Virgin Mary, both on Virgin Classics, Vivaldi Pietà for Warner Classics & Erato and Philippe Jaroussky’s widely praised Handel album. Ensemble Artaserse’s recent recordings include an album dedicated to the music of Cavalli, released in April 2019, and La vanità del mondo by Philippe Jaroussky and Ensemble Artaserse, featuring arias from various oratorios, which was released in November 2020.

Ensemble Artaserse receives the support of the Tissier-Grandpierre Foundation of the Institut de France.