ANTWERPEN – Medieval music rarely sounds as fresh and captivating as during Laus Polyphoniae 2025. The festival, which uniquely devotes itself entirely to polyphony worldwide, has drawn full halls from day one. Until and including Sunday 31 August, AMUZ (Festival van Vlaanderen Antwerpen) immerses the audience in the richness of music from the 12th to early 15th century.
The theme Ars antiqua – Ars nova – Ars subtilior. Music from the time of the cathedral builders (1140-1440) connects music with the architecture of its era. During the opening weekend, it became clear how powerfully old music, nearly a thousand years after its creation, continues to captivate the imagination.
A grand start
Friday evening opened the festival with a breathtaking performance by Huelgas Ensemble conducted by Paul Van Nevel in a sold-out Handelsbeurs, broadcast live on Klara. In the following days, PER-SONAT in Sint-Andrieskerk and Ensemble Micrologus at AMUZ provided similar enchantment.
Young talent also had ample opportunity to showcase itself. During the International Young Artist's Presentation (IYAP), six ensembles presented new perspectives on centuries-old music. Their concerts, accompanied by coaching from Lore Binon and Peter Van Heyghen, proved that the future of early music lies in creative hands. Werner de Smet has previously written about this remarkable day and the young musicians at its center. Read our report here: IYAP @ AMUZ – Souls in motion, a journey through sound and eternity.
International top acts on the horizon
Next week features names such as Jordi Savall with Hespèrion XXI, Gothic Voices, graindelavoix, Sollazzo Ensemble and many others on the programme. On Thursday 28 August, tenor Achim Schulz – the intended successor to Paul Van Nevel – conducts Huelgas Ensemble on a journey through the ars nova.
Bart Demuyt, general and artistic director of AMUZ, emphasizes: "The strong public turnout is heartwarming and shows that early music today has more than ever something essential to offer, something that speaks directly to our hearts and touches the core of our human existence."
Laus Polyphoniae 2025 once again confirms its unique position as an international beacon for the performance of medieval and polyphonic music.