Easter concerts and activities at Fontevraud Abbey

The Royal Abbey of Fontevraud invites you to celebrate Easter during the Sacred Music Festival "Passion", which will be held from April 18 to 21, 2025. An edition for young and old that combines sacred music, historical heritage and moments of sharing, with a program rich in concerts, workshops and thematic visits.

Easter program at the Abbey of Fontevraud

Friday, April 18, 2025

• Biber's Rosary Sonatas - Part 1: a masterpiece by the composer Heinrich Biber, this set of 15 sonatas is a complete example of "spiritual music".
• Passions: Venezia 1600-1750: a musical journey to Venice, at the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries, which explores the coexistence of sacred and secular art.

Saturday, April 19, 2025

• Musical breakfast #1: come and share a moment of conviviality over a coffee and croissant with music, in the unique setting of the abbey palace garden.
• Between heaven and earth – Romain Bernini and Jean-Baptiste de Beauvais: discussion around the work of Romain Bernini and the theme of elevation.
• Passion Fontevraud – thematic visit: explore the theme of the Passion with your family.
• If we sang – Educational workshop: take part in this friendly workshop to (re)discover the pleasure of singing with your children!
• Crunchy lamb – Easter appetizer: a unique moment at the wine bar to meet and chat with the festival artists.
• Concert in the vegetable garden #1: this concert combines music and gastronomy in the enchanting setting of chef Thibaut Ruggeri's vegetable garden.
• Concert under the vaults #1: let yourself be carried away by this dreamlike and contemplative musical journey, with traditional songs from the Nordic countries and sacred music tunes in the background.
• Family art workshop: thanks to this Easter egg decorating workshop, discover the traditional art of the Pisanki.
• Concert under the vaults #2: a musical journey to the heart of the Baroque repertoire, with emblematic works by Bach, Couperin and Froberger.
• Prelude #1: presentation of the listening keys to the program "The Road to Jerusalem" by Étienne Ferchaud.
• The Road to Jerusalem: a musical program evoking the mysterious labyrinths engraved on the floor of many religious buildings.
• Biber's Rosary Sonatas - Part 2: suite of Biber's Rosary Sonatas in the Chapter House.

Sunday, April 20, 2025

 

• Easter egg hunt: look for the colored eggs hidden in the gardens of the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud!
• Concert in the garden: an enchanting musical journey with the Ellipsos Quartet in the Abbey garden.
• Concert under the vaults #3: immerse yourself in the tradition of German chorales on the viola da gamba.
• Prelude #2: the program highlights works by Carlo Gesualdo, master of madrigal music.
• Tenebrae Responsoria: a vibrant interpretation of Gesualdo's Répons de Ténèbres.
• Mystères: interpretation of Biber's Rosary sonatas, with the famous "Passacaglia de l'ange gardien" as the highlight.

Monday, April 21, 2025

 

• Musical breakfast #2: come and enjoy a coffee and croissant with music in the garden of the abbey palace.
• Pop-Up Ding workshop with the family: immerse yourself in the fascinating world of bells at the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud.
• Concert au potager #2: concert combining music and gastronomy in the vegetable garden of chef Thibaut Ruggeri.
• Passion Fontevraud – thematic visit: immersive exploration of the theme of the Passion.
• Prelude #3: presentation of the listening keys to the program "Les larmes de la Vierge" by Corinne Schneider.
• Les larmes de la Vierge: subtle and intense interpretation of the Ricercar Consort, which will offer you a moving musical experience.

Book one of the 24 rooms and suites of the hotel La Croix blanche, located opposite the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud.