An Extraordinary Line-Up: The Zamus Festival in Cologne

Exceptional  programming, unconventional venues, and topical themes often paired with a strong intellectual dimension: these are the hallmarks of Cologne’s early music festival, curated by the team at Zamus (the “Zentrum für Alte Musik” or “Centre for Early Music”). We spoke with violinist Midori Seiler, artistic director of this exceptional festival, to understand how these choices stem from the very spirit of the city and the centre—and why audiences respond with such enthusiasm.

Cologne, a major city in western Germany, is known for its political consciousness, its intellectual and ideological openness, and its commitment to contemporary issues—but also as a vibrant hub for both the LGBTQIA+ community and the early music scene in Germany. Zamus presents itself as a natural extension of this mindset within the realm of historically informed performance—which took root in Cologne earlier than elsewhere, thanks in part to the pioneering involvement of WDR radio. Founded in 2011 by the Cologne Society for Early Music, Zamus serves as a crucible for the scene: a place for inspiration, exchange, experimentation, and dissemination, aimed at professional musicians as well as amateurs, students, and curious minds of all ages. This spirit of exchange is at the heart of the programming—engaging with other art forms, with science, and current social and political challenges. Within this context, the Zamus team, led by artistic director Midori Seiler, has placed this year’s festival under the banner of “Ecstasy and Contemplation.” From May 21 to 31, 22 events will take place, ranging from sacred concerts featuring works by Pérotin to a round-table discussion on colonialism in early music; from more traditional performances of Haydn and baroque composers to four-hand piano pieces by Mahler and Beethoven; from an early music marathon in Cologne’s city park (less athletic than it sounds!) to a fusion of ars nova and Indian dance. A richly varied programme, to say the least…

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