Accademia Bizantina was formed in 1983 with the intent to make music "like a large string quartet", with equal dedication, participation and collective satisfaction.

With the same "chamber" approach today as then, the group is entirely run by the members, who together decide objectives and guidelines.

Since 1996 Ottavio Dantone and Stefano Montanari have collaborated in total harmony to provide the musical direction of the ensemble, covering respectively the roles of music director and of concertmaster, melding together the best of their human and artistic qualities .

The collective intent, in every phase of work, is that of combining philology and the study of the praxis of original instruments, with careful and respectful study of the score, as in the most noble tradition of Italian chamber music.

The discipline and refinement of Dantone, the energy and inspiration of Montanari, the enthusiasm and complicity on the part of each instrumentalist, weave together like the tiles of a Byzantine mosaic, placing the Accademia among the most refined and vivacious ensembles of antique music today present on the international stage.

Accademia Bizantina has made numerous recordings for Decca, l'Oiseau Lyre, Harmonia Mundi, Naive, Arts, Denon, and Amadeus, many of which have been awarded prizes such as Diapason d'Or and Midem and has been broadcast in live radio transmissions from Radio France, Rai Radio Tre, RSI and WDR, and has performed in the most prestigious festivals and halls across Europe, Israel, Japan, Mexico, the United States and South America.

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