April 19 to May 10, 2026, in Aachen and its surroundings
Fonte vivace (Italian): a lively, bubbling spring, but also a historical source, source-base research – inseparably linked to authentic performance practice. Here, the creative spirit of past centuries flows freely, brought vividly to life by outstanding musicians of our time.
The inaugural Fonte Vivace Early Music Festival in spring 2025 was a resounding success, both artistically and organizationally. A selection of impressions from the festival can be found here.
In 2026, we once again invite you to experience music from the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the Baroque at the highest artistic level, while continuing to establish Fonte Vivace as a regionally wide-ranging early music festival in the westernmost corner of North Rhine-Westphalia.
From 19 April to 10 May, you will have the unique opportunity to hear outstanding ensembles of international renown in Aachen and the surrounding region, to discover award-winning emerging artists, and to experience the results of our workshop for amateur ensembles.
Founded in 2014 by Evgeny Sviridov and Anna Dmitrieva and now based in Cologne, Ludus Instrumentalis is an internationally constituted ensemble dedicated to historically informed performance. The award-winning Baroque ensemble has received first prizes at the Berlin Bach Competition and the Gebrüder Graun Competition, as well as the Saarland Early Music Award. These achievements have led to invitations to prestigious festivals throughout Europe; in 2018, Ludus Instrumentalis already served as Ensemble in Residence at Rheinsberg Palace.
As Ensemble in Residence, Ludus Instrumentalis can be experienced in several concerts of the Fonte Vivace Festival 2026, appearing in a variety of instrumental constellations and in collaboration with outstanding soloists.
For the festival Fonte Vivace, this collaboration represents a clearly defined artistic profile, programmatic continuity, and a vibrant dialogue between the ensemble, its guests, and the audience. With Ludus Instrumentalis as Ensemble in Residence, the festival gains a defining artistic focal point of international calibre and resonance.
The festival’s artistic directors are Lorenzo Alpert and Judith Konter.
The Argentinian musician Lorenzo Alpert studied bassoon and historical performance practice at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, graduating with a concert diploma for historical bassoons. It was here that Jordi Savall took notice of him and, together with him, Montserrat Figueras and Hopkinson Smith, founded the ensemble Hespèrion XX. In this ensemble, Lorenzo Alpert played flutes and percussion instruments.
From 1991 to 2020, he was the principal bassoonist of Concerto Köln and, from 2016 to 2018, he served as the ensemble’s artistic director. His focus lay particularly on integrating musicological research into instrumental practice. Based on this approach, he developed new concepts for the performance of Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos.
Until 2018, Lorenzo Alpert taught historical bassoon and chamber music at the Haute École de Musique in Geneva. He regularly gives courses in Italy, France, Spain, and the USA.
Judith Konter studied flute in Aachen and Cologne and later specialised in the Baroque traverso and historical performance practice at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague. Martin Sandhoff and Wilbert Hazelzet were her formative teachers on this instrument. For many years she performed with the Baroque ensemble La Courtoisie, appearing at venues such as Rheinsberg Palace and the Potsdam Palace Night in 2004.
Within the flute quartet arcadie, she is most often heard on the modern bass flute and brings a particular passion to arranging music for the ensemble.
Teaching has always been close to her heart, with engagements at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln, the music seminar of the University of Cologne, and the Aachen Music School.
Since 2021, Judith Konter is a co-founder and the artistic director of the Aachener Wohnzimmerkonzerte.
The Fonte vivace festival is made possible by a strong network of cooperation partners. The Aachener Wohnzimmerkonzerte are pleased to collaborate with – and to be supported by:
Experience the Fonte Vivace Festival in all its diversity!
With the Festival Pass, you gain access to five evening events and one afternoon concert for the price of €99 (regular price €136, concessions available).
The Festival Pass includes:
Secure your ticket and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of early music!
The Fonte vivace festival is made possible through the generous support of funding institutions, businesses, and private sponsors. Their commitment helps to keep early music alive and accessible to a wide audience.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our partners and supporters for their invaluable contributions.
If you would like to be part of this special festival and support culture in a meaningful way, we would be delighted to hear from you. Together, we create a festival that unites musical tradition, education, and artistic excellence.
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