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 festival presents chamber music from the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Baroque periods at the highest artistic level.
Our aim is to bring our rich musical heritage to life in all its fascinating diversity, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in sound worlds shaped by virtuosity, profound expression and creativity.
Children and young people are engaged through our participatory programmes, where they can explore their creativity in workshops and interactive concerts.
Since its debut in 2025, the festival has extended its reach well beyond the region and into neighbouring countries. Through its strong regional network, Fonte vivace promotes cultural exchange, including in rural areas and across borders throughout the Euregio.
Fonte vivace will take place as a biennial festival in the future.
2027
Plans for 2027 include a special concert featuring one of Europe’s leading early music ensembles, as well as a Baroque workshop for young people and adult amateur musicians.
2028
The next full-fledged festival will take place in spring 2028, presenting chamber music of the highest artistic calibre in a selection of attractive venues throughout the region. We look forward to welcoming internationally acclaimed ensembles as well as outstanding and award-winning young ensembles. In this way, Fonte vivace also provides a stage for emerging musicians at the beginning of their careers.
The detailed programme for 2028 is expected to be published on this website in autumn 2027.
Discover impressions from the 2025 and 2026 festivals here.
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:
Further new collaborations are in prospect for 2027 and 2028:
A Festival Pass will be available also in 2028. Experience Fonte vivace in all its diversity!
The Fonte vivace festival has been 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 for the past festivals.
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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