Ludus Modalis & Bruno Boterf

Biography Ludus Modalis & Bruno Boterf

Ludus Modalis
Established by Bruno Boterf, the twelve-voice ensemble, Ludus Modalis “The Mode Game” – has set itself the task of restoring the sound palette of sacred and secular polyphonic repertoire of the Renaissance and pre-Baroque. The group tries to distinguish itself from a too-generalised approach to interpretation, by concentrating on those aspects of performance practice sometimes neglected, such as pronunciation, an intonation governed by the use of the different modes, temperament, a search for variety in vocal sonority, and a scrupulous respect for the original sources, reinforced by collaboration with musicologists.

By adopting a practice of combining male, female and children's voices, Ludus Modalis strives to be an ensemble, in the first place, of colours,where the mixing of contrasting timbres is seen as a source of richness, and where beauty is not the predominant notion, but rather an “ornamental” aspect.

Bruno Boterf
After studying Musicology and Art History at university, Bruno Boterf opted for a performing career and was soon in demand as a soloist, singing under leading conductors in programmes of sacred music by Bach, Handel, Monteverdi, Cavalli, Mozart, Rossini, etc. At the same time he was initiated into the mysteries of medieval music by Anne-Marie Deschamps and Marcel Peres while also performing contemporary music with the GroupeVocal de France, taking part in several productions with the ensemble 2E-EM and Radio France.

On stage, he has appeared in operas under the direction of Jean-Claude Malgoire, William Christie, Marc Minkowski and Hervé Niquet, and has collaborated regularly with Mireille Larroche and Peniche Opera. He has performed the title roles in the Play of Daniel and Monteverdi's Orfeo.

His considerable interest in Renaissance and early Baroque music has led him to perform 16th and 17th century music both in duet programmes (A Doi Tenori with Gilles Ragon) and as a soloist with groups like Akademia, the Witches, Ensemble europeen William Byrd and La Fenice. He also performed French repertoire of the same period, particularly the late 16th centuty air de cour in concerts with the Ensemble Clement Janequin for more than twenty years. He has recorded many discs for Harmonia Mundi and features in numerous recordings on other labels, including Alpha, Erato, CBS, Audivis, etc...

A qualified teacher, Bruno Boterf helped to set up a class in Renaissance vocal music performance at the Tours Conservatoire. This experience led him to create Ludus Modalis, an a capella group of a dozen singers focusing mainly on 16th and early 17th century sacred music.

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