Cathedrals at that time were not only monuments of stone, but also immense sound laboratories where, in particular, composers and performing musicians from our region wrote music history for approximately 300 years and dominated music in Europe. "With this edition, we show how architecture and music lift and inspire each other," says Bart Demuyt, general and artistic director of AMUZ. "We let medieval polyphony shine in all its facets: from the first experiments with polyphony to the most refined settings of courtly poetry." World leaders in polyphony interpretation and performance
The ten-day festival brings together the absolute world elite of 'early music' once again in Antwerp. Huelgas Ensemble and graindelavoix explore the boundaries of medieval polyphony, while Alla francesca jeune ensemble revives the earliest polyphonic experiments. Hespèrion XXI under the direction of Jordi Savall immerses itself in the Marian devotion of the mystical Llibre Vermell, and Gothic Voices presents pearls from the English cathedral tradition. There is also Mala Punica, which traces the footsteps of Liège-born Johannes Ciconia. Laus Polyphoniae offers an insight, or rather a listening ear, into the surprisingly rich arsenal of medieval love stories. Micrologus, Le Miroir de Musique, Ensemble Céladon and ApotropaïK are responsible for this.
Practical information
Laus Polyphoniae 2025 takes place from August 22 to 31, 2025 at various historic locations in Antwerp. Ticket sales start on Saturday, March 8, 2025. Tickets & info: www.amuz.be