The Arcadi Ensemble was formed through the artistic collaboration between professional musicians from music Conservatories and academies from across Europe.

The repertoire used by the ensemble, carefully researched and studied, is prevalently from the 17th and 18th centuries, though the ensemble does perform contemporary music as well. The Arcadi perform in many major artistic venues and important institutions in Italy.

The name “Gli Arcadi” comes from the celebrated Academy of the Arcadi (Accademia degli Arcadi). A literary and music circle founded in 1690.
The Academy of the Arcadi was considered not only as a simple school of thought, but a true cultural movement which was developed and diffused througout Italy in response to what was considered “bad taste”.
It was named after the tradition of poet-shepherds from the legendary region of Arcadi.

Many famous musicians of high calibre were part of the Academy of the Arcadi, including Arcangelo Corelli, Francesco Gasparini, Alessandro and Benedetto Marcello, Bernardo Pasquini and Alessandro Scarlatti.