The members of Artefactum are experienced performers with musical careers which are as rich and complex as their experience of life itself, and it is this which is fundamental to understanding the pieces they create. It is impossible to transmit feelings which have not been actually experienced; emotions cannot be learnt from a musical score. The medieval era is perhaps the historical period which most personified the contrast between monastic simplicity and the picaresque flavour of life in the taverns, between the comforts of the royal courts and the penuries of the pilgrims’ route to Santiago. Although it may seem hard to believe, all these elements and many more are present in Artefactum...
By knowing that neither almost liturgical boredom nor solemnity seen on concerts were characteristic of early music, Artefactum want to give back medieval repertory coolness and spontaneity of the compositions that they play, without giving up musicological modern investigation.
Through an open plastic concept on stage, besides sonorous and visual instruments, which always remain true to the originals of this age, Artefactum suggestion is to take us on a journey through the medieval age: we pass noisy taverns, feel the reclusion of the monasteries, walk through stinky and icy roads and smell numerous aromas, coming from hot kitchens. But don’t be afraid, of course you don’t have to worry about being cached by the Black Plague or suffering an inquisitional process caused by heresy!
Found in 1994, Artefactum intended to recover and spread over the musical repertory- of the Middle Ages all across Spain. Afterwards it became one of the most representative groups within the Spanish panorama of medieval music.
Evidently they take part in festivals of ancient music, which are highly esteemed throughout Spain, so they consequently receive invitations to festivals, which not only take place in Spain but also beyond its frontiers (Italy, Portugal, France, Morocco,...)