Ars Nova, a prominent Cuban Early Music group, was founded on January 5, 2004, in the city of Santa Clara. It is made up of professional musicians who enjoy performing music from the Medieval and Baroque periods.

Initially, its ranks included five musicians; now it boasts more than five members. Its members are: Raúl Zaballa (director and recorders); Rode Loyda Estévez (assistant director and harpsichord); Esther Martínez (guitar); Niurys Moreno (bassoon); Gipsy Cárdenas (cello); Maykel Veitía (viola); Silvio Pérez (violin); and Alexis Arce (percussion). Also added are singers Angélica María Suliarnau and Sailén Álvarez.

Ars Nova possesses the instrumental structure characteristic of groups that cultivate early music. They perform representative works from the Baroque and Secular Renaissance periods.

In 2005, this early music group participated in the third edition of the Esteban Salas Early Music Festival, held in Havana, where they participated as a guest. At that event, they shared the stage with Douce Memoire (France), La Fontegara (Mexico), Kathleen Mackintosh (USA), and Ars Longa (Cuba).

That same year, Ars Nova became part of the groups protected by the Cuban Music Institute, a decision supported by a series of successful concerts performed by the group.

In 2006, they performed again at the 4th edition of the Esteban Salas International Early Music Festival. Following this, they established a regular program at venues specializing in early music in Havana: the Church of San Francisco de Paula (Ave. Del Puerto and San Ignacio, Old Havana, Havana) and the Convent of San Francisco de Asís (Oficios e/ Amargura and Churruca, Old Havana, Havana).

In August 2009, they performed as part of the Museum of Decorative Arts’ summer program at the same institution in the city of Santa Clara. The concert was titled “Love that Captivates Me,” based on a 16th-century work of the same name. For an hour, they showcased essentially Venetian music. They performed several Italian songs and sonatas, works by musicians such as Claudio Monteverdi, Julius Cassini, Yuset San Martini, and by anonymous composers whose works have been recovered.

Ars Nova was in charge of the inaugural concert of the September Baroque season, which began at the Church of San Francisco de Paula (Avenue Del Puerto and San Ignacio, Old Havana, Havana). On that occasion, they performed three anonymous works from 17th-century Spain: pieces by Antonio Vivaldi and Cuban composer Esteban Salas. Overall, they offered a repertoire of representative pieces of the Baroque era.

That same month, they toured the seven founding towns of Cuba, where they presented a repertoire of little-known works of great aesthetic value.

Throughout its history, Ars Nova has performed in Cuba’s most important venues, earning a reputation among both the public and critics for its professionalism.