Mediva is an outstanding medieval group made up of a flexible number of singers and multi-instrumentalists drawn from the leading exponents in their fields throughout Europe. Concerts feature a mix of exotic medieval and Arabian instruments such as oud, saz, shawms, recorders, harp, psaltery, fiddle and percussion as well as a range of singing techniques to suit each repertoire.

Combining slick playing with unusual visual presentation, Mediva creates an experience that is more than just a concert. Full of verve and dynamism, the enjoyment the musicians have on stage is infectious! In addition to Mediva's fresh approach to music making, concerts are often enhanced with dance, poetry, projections and special lighting as well.

Although individual members are steeped in the early music tradition, having trained at the Royal Academy of Music, Royal College of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama and Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, Switzerland, Mediva has developed a new way to perform medieval music. Rather than trying to recreate the past, performances use medieval music as inspiration for a new sound world and concert experience, relying heavily on improvisation. The group also experiments with modern composition, specially commissioned for the ensemble and works with funk, rock and world musicians for several cross-over projects.

Mediva burst upon the early music scene in October 1998 with an outstanding concert as part of the Radio 3 Early Music Day at the Royal Academy of Music. The group is a frequent guest on Radio 4's 'Loose Ends' and have been featured on Radio 3's 'In Tune' and 'Late Junction' and Early Music Show. They made their international debut in 2001 giving a series of concerts at the Barcelona Early Music Festival and were finalists in the International Young Artists Competition at the York Early Music Festival. They were also invited to be guest artists at the Sommer Kurs fur Musik des Mittelalters at the world renowned Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, Switzerland.

Gabriels Message - Festive Music From Medieval England

Viva Mediva