Founded at the end of the 11th century, Fontfroide Abbey now plays host to all kinds of cultural events and activities in the building, the gardens and the terraces. The prestigious composer and viola da gamba player Jordi Savall will be there this July with musical ensembles Hespèrion XXI, Le Concert des Nations and La Capella Reial de Catalunya.

Savall will be performing on each of the five days that the 12th Festival of Music and History for Intercultural Dialogue lasts. There is also a place in the programme for the Orfeu XXI project, founded by him, aimed at promoting the integration of refugee musicians in Europe. The guests therefore come from a large number of countries all over the world: Abu Dhabi, Afghanistan, Argentina, Armenia, Brazil, China, Greece, Madagascar, Mali, Mexico, Morocco, Syria and Turkey.

The Fontfroide festival programme:

Saturday, 15th July in the Cour Louis XIV | Ibn Battuta (part two)

Sunday, 16th July in the abbey church | New Music, Venetian influence on European music

Monday, 17th July in the Cour Louis XIV | El amor brujo, a tribute to the music of Andalusia and Manuel de Falla

Tuesday, 18th July in the abbey church | Tous les matins du monde

Wednesday, 19th July in the Cour Louis XIV | Fiesta criolla, the music and rituals of the ancient culture of Peru

Jordi Savall (Igualada, 1941) is one of the most important personalities in Catalan culture. His work covers multiple aspects: he plays the viola de gamba, is a pioneer in the recovery of musical heritage, a conductor of highly prestigious orchestras, and the promoter of seasons, festivals and his own record label. In 2014 he was awarded the Generalitat de Catalunya’s Gold Medal in recognition of his contribution to Catalan culture.