Mit der Gambe durch die Eifel - Alte Musik in 8 Kirchen & Kapellen

“Eifel Ornaments” - French variation will be performed on May 31, 2026, in the Erlöserkapelle Mirbach: Music for viola da gamba and theorbo by Marin Marais, including the famous Couplets de folies, accompany the views of the extraordinarily radiant decor of the chapel, about which reports from the time of creation are available. Under the patronage of Baron Christian von Mirbach. Possibility to retreat before and after the concert at Em Backes below the chapel.

„With the viol through the Eifel“
Extraordinary event series presents cross-border early music in 8 Eifel churches and a forge

Eifel cross-border… Ensemble favori brings Eifel monuments and landscapes to new life across national borders with sounds, texts, stories, and characters.

From May 14 to September 11, 2026, culture enthusiasts can once again experience an extraordinary event series with a diverse program at nine unique Eifel locations featuring guided hikes, art-historical lectures, recitations, theater, and music for viola da gamba, theorbo, lute, or harpsichord.

Ensemble favori writes “With the viol through the Eifel” notably creating international Eifel history in 2026, featuring rarely heard music, and drawing attention to new church monuments. The Eifel churches and chapels are not only unique spaces but also provide perfect acoustics for this music.

The Eifel is a very special region. The musicians of Ensemble favori will travel to a total of 8 unique churches and chapels in the Eifel, as well as a forge, and present a program of concerts, theater, and tours. The events in the different locations engage with the unique places and architectures of the chapels and churches of the Eifel villages in various ways. In addition to recitations, art-history lectures, and theater, there will also be tours and hikes before the concert.

The Ensemble favori, consisting of artists Christoph Barth (lute and theorbo), Johannes Geffert (harpsichord), Willi Kronenburg (organ), Sabine Weber (viola da gamba), and actress Hildegard Meier, brings Eifel monuments to new life with sounds, texts, stories, and characters during this event series. After all events, a friendly gathering with the artists, visitors, and locals is planned.

Furthermore, “With the viol through the Eifel” expands its horizon cross-border with two concerts in the Belgian Eifel.

Early music in the Eifel: Ensemble favori mainly features French viola da gamba music in the program. This indeed has a connection to the Eifel. For during the French Revolution, Huguenot nobility fled from Paris. They must have had the court-favored viol music in their ears when they arrived in the Eifel and settled there. Wasn’t one of the first known French violists and teachers a Huguenot of Marin Marais?

At these special locations, visitors can experience the extraordinary art festival:

Forge Köb behind the St. Anna Chapel Hüngersdorf/Blankenheim
Thu May 14, 2026 (Ascension Day) - 2 PM Excursion - 5 PM Concert with Ensemble favori

Erlöserkapelle Mirbach
Sun May 31, 2026 - 3:30 PM Concert with Ensemble favori

Burgkapelle Kerpen/Eifel
Sun June 28, 2026 - 3:30 PM Concert with Ensemble favori

Old Church Alendorf/Blankenheim
Sat July 4, 2026 - 2 PM Excursion - 5 PM Concert with Ensemble favori

St. Anna Wirtzfeld/Büllingen (East Belgium)
Sun August 2, 2026 - 2 PM Excursion - 5 PM Concert with Ensemble favori

St. Hubertus Weweler/Burg-Reuland (East Belgium)
Sun August 30, 2026 - 3 PM Tour - 4:30 PM Concert with Ensemble favori

Former Military Chapel St. Walburgis Vogelsang/Schleiden
Sun September 6, 2026 - 12 PM Excursion - 4 PM Concert with Ensemble favori

St. Georg Frauenberg/Euskirchen
Fri September 11, 2026 - 7 PM Concert with Ensemble favori

“Eifel Ornaments”
The French variation will be performed on May 31, 2026 in the Erlöserkapelle Mirbach : Music for viola da gamba and theorbo by Marin Marais, including the famous Couplets de folies, accompany the gaze on the extraordinarily dazzling decor of the chapel, which is reported from the time of its creation. Under the patronage of Baron Christian von Mirbach. Refreshments available before and after the concert at Em Backes below the chapel.

Tickets

In Wirtzfeld and Weweler (East Belgium) online reservations can be made through the website of the East Belgium Festival www.obs.de.
Other concert reservations can be made at ticket@favori.de. Tickets are available at the entrance of each event location.
Admission: 30 minutes before each event. Free seating
Entry: 25 €/20 €, reduced 15 €. Children up to 10 years have free admission.
Free admission: Burgkapelle in Kerpen/Eifel, Old Church Alendorf/Blankenheim, St. Georg Frauenberg/Euskirchen.

Reservations for hikes and excursions are required in Hüngersdorf at irmgard.loeffelmann@web.de in Vogelsang at mp@nabear.de in Alendorf at ticket@favori.de in Wirtzfeld and Weweler through www.obf.be

For more info:www.favori.de