With the theme Giving Voice, the Utrecht Early Music Festival brings the human voice to life with lots of vocal music and attention to forgotten and muffled voices. These are the concerts you shouldn’t miss!
ĀRT HOUSE 17 & Friends
In Baroque opera, boundaries between male and female roles were often surprisingly fluid. Men played women, women played men, and castrati occupied a space somewhere in between. ĀRT HOUSE 17 picks up onthis theme with Over the Rainbow, in which Bach, Händel and others are combined with Sufjan Stevens and The Wizard of Oz. In addition, some 250 members of the inclusive The Space Choir take to the stage,
alongside clowns, dancers and acrobats.
1 September 2026, TivoliVredenburg
La Tempête
This concert transports you to the atmosphere of the days leading up to Easter, when sorrow and hope lie close together. Gregorian chants and Renaissance music by Orlandus Lassus and Cristóbal de Morales come together with the contemplative works of Arvo Pärt and the impressive double-choir mass by Frank Martin. Two choirs move through the space, enveloping the audience in sound.
31 August 2026, TivoliVredenburg
The Lyons Mouth
This young British vocal ensemble brings music by William Byrd. The choir follows him through the liturgical year, from Advent to Advent, through holidays, Lent and everything in between. A kaleidoscope of genres, atmospheres and languages, carried by five young voices.
1 September 2026, Sint-Catharinakathedraal
De Bardonnèche, Taylor & Boulanger
Early music, a man’s domain? Forget it. Violinist Sophie de Bardonnèche champions ten composers who have no voice in the chronicles, such as Élisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre and Mademoiselles Duval. She performs together with gambist Lucile Boulanger and harpsichordist Justin Taylor.
4 September 2026, TivoliVredenburg
Concert Camper
The Concert Camper is a genuine concert hall on wheels, which will be set up at various locations in the city centre and the suburbs of Utrecht during the festival. The camper makes early music accessible to everyone, and offers new encounters between repertoire, artists and festival visitors
The full program will be available from 13 August 2026 on oudemuziek.nl/concertcamper
28 August to 6 September 2026, various locations
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images:
Yaiza Dirksen, Marieke Wijntjes, Fred Mortagne
Publication date:
3 July 2026
Magazine edition:
UITagenda Utrecht jul/aug 2026
