Innsbruck is a centre of Early music. In the renaissance and baroque eras great masters such as Paul Hofhaimer, Heinrich Isaac and Pietro Antonio Cesti were employed as musicians at the Habsburg court amidst the alpine scenery of Tirol.

Who we are
The Innsbrucker Festwochen der Alten Musik is an experience you'll miss if you haven't been there. It's an internationally renowned festival for original sound and a place for masters of their craft and the most exciting up-and-coming talents on the scene. Since its founding in 1976, Innsbruck has been the starting point for many artists' careers and one of the most important addresses in the field of early music worldwide. In 2026, theInnsbrucker Festwochen der Alten Musik will celebrate its 50th anniversary. In 2023, Eva-Maria Sens took over as Artistic Director together with Ottavio Dantone, who will serve as Musical Director for five years. During this time, his Accademia Bizantina, one of the world's most renowned orchestras for historical performance practice, will accompany the festival as orchestra in residence. The 50th Innsbrucker Festwochen in 2026 will take place from 24 July to 30 August under the guiding question ‘What are we celebrating?’

Where we come from
The Innsbrucker Festwochen der Alten Musik originated in the 1970s as a deliberate counter-movement to the traditional classical music scene, which focused primarily on works from the 19th and 20th centuries. At a time when the major concert stages concentrated mainly on a repertoire from the early classical period onwards, a small group of music lovers, historians and musicians sought new, yet long-lost ways of experiencing music. Their goal was to revive the sounds and playing styles of past centuries and create an alternative to the established music industry. They wanted to hear what Baroque music might have really sounded like before centuries of musical developments and new instruments had changed its original character.

Using historical instruments and performance techniques, these pioneers led by Prof. Otto Ulf ventured a return to the roots – and thus made a strong mark on the music world. What began as a niche movement soon became a worldwide scene in which Innsbruck played an important role. Since then, renowned conductors and ensembles have presented works from the early Middle Ages, Renaissance, late Baroque and early Classical periods in a sound world that is completely new to the modern ear, yet authentic. Baroque opera in particular found a home here, and the Festwochen became a lively meeting place for artists and musicologists from all over the world. In addition to founder Otto Ulf, many other outstanding artists have shaped the history of the festival. Particularly noteworthy are Alan Curtis, whose expertise helped Innsbruck become a centre for staged Baroque opera productions, and of course the two artistic directors Alessandro De Marchi and René Jacobs.
The festival blends history and the present, and a passion for early music creates a unique community. Artists and the team refer to this as the Festwochen family to describe the unique atmosphere that the festival brings to Innsbruck.

Where we are headed
Today, the Innsbrucker Festwochen der Alten Musik is one of the world's most important festivals for historically informed performance practice. From its rebellious beginnings in the 1970s to the international collaborations of today, it is clear that the love of early music has long been more than just an alternative: it is a culture in its own right, inspiring people of all generations and creating a vibrant future through their enthusiasm for the past.

In 2026, the Innsbrucker Festwochen der Alten Musik is celebrating its 50th anniversary. This anniversary underscores its pioneering role in the field of historically informed performance practice. Since its inception, the festival has not only provided a stage for great masters and renowned ensembles; it has also been committed to promoting young talent, having grown out of a summer academy. Today, the International competition for baroque opera singing 'Pietro Antonio Cesti', the Barockoper:Jung opera project and the newly founded youngbaroque project are leading the way for upcoming talent.