The phrase “Ars Nova,” Latin for “New Art,” originally referred to a 14th-century musical movement that broke away from rigid medieval forms, embracing innovation, rhythm, and expressive freedom. Neapolitan folk music has long been a rich vessel of storytelling, born from street corners, village festivals, and the lived experience of ordinary people. With deep roots in regional rhythms and Mediterranean exchange, it has always blurred boundaries between genres, languages, and communities.Today, this spirit lives on in Ars Nova Napoli, a contemporary folk ensemble from Naples that reimagines southern Italy’s musical heritage for modern ears. Through vibrant arrangements and cross-cultural influences, the group pays homage to tradition while giving it renewed voice and vitality.

Under the direction of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Consulate General of Italy in Mumbai and the Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Mumbai, Royal Opera House, Mumbai and Avid Learning present the concert - Neapolis 2500 by Ars Nova Napoli,  to commemorate the 2,500th anniversary of the founding of the Italian city- Naples.Ars Nova Napoli, widely regarded as one of the leading forces in Italy’s contemporary folk landscape, are known for their genre-defying style and powerful stage presence, the ensemble brings new life to traditional southern Italian songs while introducing original compositions shaped by diverse Mediterranean influences. Their performances are rich in harmony, rhythm, and exuberance, turning each concert into a celebration that resonates across borders and generations.

The ensemble is composed of an exceptional sextet, each bringing a distinctive voice and instrumental prowess to the group’s signature sound, featuring Marcello Squillante (Vocals, Accordion), Michelangelo Nusco (Violin, Trumpet, Mandolin), Vincenzo Racioppi (Mandolin, Charango), Gianluca Fusco (Vocals, Guitar, Diatonic Accordion, Gaita), Antonino Anastasia (Frame Drums), and Bruno Belardi (Double Bass). Together, they bring a cohesive and authentic sound rooted in the folk music of southern Italy.

Ars Nova Napoli is a group formed in Naples in the fall of 2009. Born out of a love for the folk repertoire of Campania, they initially took their work to the streets, making the streets of the city's historic center their natural stage. Over time, this has become a matter of course, and they firmly believe in the importance of street art as a means of sharing popular culture and free artistic expression.

They grace squares, alleyways, markets, and sidewalks throughout Italy, playing at hundreds of weddings and birthday parties, and taking part in major events and festivals in France, Spain, Greece, and Switzerland. They have participated in countless folk festivals and celebrations, developing a direct connection with the music and stories of Campanian culture and deepening their ethno-musical research throughout Italy. The group currently performs a varied repertoire, open to the many sounds of the South and beyond, from Apulian pizzica to Sicilian serenades, from Neapolitan classics to Calabrian tarantellas, and by also looking beyond its borders, it discovers connections with Greek rebetiko and Balkan music.

With this performance, Avid Learning continues its longstanding collaboration with the Consulate General of Italy in Mumbai and the Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Mumbai after three collaborative endeavors last year, including Puccini Centenary concert and Sergio De Simone piano recital. This partnership is a celebration of the transformative power of music, enriching Mumbai's cultural landscape with the best of Italian art and culture. As a cultural catalyst, Avid Learning curates and brings together diverse groups, musical genres, and sounds on stage to craft spectacular fusions of musical brilliance and cross-cultural dialogue. These immersive and innovative experiences unite people through the universal language of music, creating enduring connections.

Details:

When: Wednesday, 8th October 2025, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm 

Where: Royal Opera House, Mumbai 

Tickets: www.bookmyshow.com (Rs. 499 onwards)