Definitions for "ruggiero"
a bass line upon which it was the practice of Italian composers to improvise contrapuntal variations
Ruggiero refers to a musical scheme which is at times harmonic and at times melodic. It is seen in 16th and 17th century music, for both vocal and instrumental pieces and improvisations. It most likely comes from reciting formulas used to perform Orlando Furioso, an epic poem by Ludovico Ariosto.