Initiated by the CNM and the Institut français, with the support of major French and European early-music institutions, the 2025 edition of Focus Musique Ancienne highlighted the vitality of a new generation of French artists now making their mark internationally.
Rooted in the legacy of figures like William Christie, Jean-Claude Malgoire, and Nikolaus Harnoncourt, these musicians bring a fresh vision to early music, combining historical expertise with contemporary openness. Their projects blend musicological rigor with an engagement in today’s artistic and global issues, proving the lasting relevance of this repertoire in the 21st century.
The Focus unfolded over several days of meetings, showcases, and concerts aimed at boosting international visibility and collaboration. On September 25th, the BnF (Richelieu) hosted a presentation by the Centre de Musique Baroque de Versailles alongside the BnF Music Department and the CNSMDP. The next day, the international delegation met at the Auditorium de Lyon for a major networking session: more than 170 speed-meetings between 38 French ensembles and international professionals, presenting over 90 artistic projects.
The programme continued at the Ambronay Festival, one of Europe’s landmark early-music events. Across the weekend, guests attended concerts by L’Assemblée, Il Caravaggio, Les Musiciens de Saint-Julien, and Pygmalion, offering a vivid panorama of the French scene. Twelve young ensembles also pitched their projects to French and international professionals, and dedicated meetings encouraged dialogue and potential co-productions.
Organized with the Ambronay Cultural Encounter Centre, this edition offered participants a unique insight into Ambronay’s long-standing commitment to emerging artists, through pioneering initiatives such as the European Baroque Academy and the Sustainable Emerging programme.
The Focus also celebrated the 25th anniversary of REMA, the European Early Music Network, which continues to strengthen collaboration across Europe and increase the international visibility of the early-music sector.
Through this dynamic programme, Focus Musique Ancienne 2025 showcased the excellence and diversity of French early music, reinforcing France’s central role in the global development of this ever-evolving field.