International masterclasses and concerts featuring early music in the heart of Styria
From 26 to 30 August 2026, Admont Abbey will once again become a meeting place for lovers of early music: The 12th Admont Lute Autumn will bring together leading international musicians, dedicated amateurs and students for a five-day festival featuring masterclasses, workshops and concerts.
Since its foundation in 2013 by Dagmar Fischer-Riedel under the patronage of the Austrian Lute Society, the Admonter Lautenherbst has become a fixture on the Austrian cultural scene. Its aim has always been to firmly establish Renaissance and Baroque music in Upper Styria and to make the fascinating world of historical lute instruments accessible to a wide audience.
Under the motto „Hear the best and learn from the best“, internationally renowned artists will once again be teaching in 2026. The programme of courses covers historical lute instruments, lute consort and basso continuo, viola da gamba, solo singing, choral work and historical performance practice. Participants will benefit from intensive one-to-one tuition, ensemble playing and close collaboration between the individual classes.
The teaching staff includes Julian Behr, professor of lute at the University of Basel; lutenist Cornelia Demmer (Vienna); the internationally sought-after soprano and vocal coach Bettina Pahn (Hamburg); choir director and vocal coach Gerd Kenda (Graz); viola da gamba player Silvia Tecardi (Basel) and the Admont-based musician Bernhard Ehrenfellner as accompanist.
The courses take place in the music rooms of Admont Abbey School. The historic atmosphere of the abbey, with its abbey church, St Amandus’ Church and ballroom, provides an exceptional setting for the courses. For many years now, participants from numerous countries have appreciated the professional guidance, the opportunity to make music together in consorts and ensembles, and the special hospitality of the venue.
The musical highlights will be two public concerts with free admission (voluntary donations).
Opening concert: „The Song of the Nightingale“
Wednesday, 26 August 2026, 7.00 pm, Amandus Church (Old Parish Church, Admont)
featuring Maria Ladurner (soprano), Julian Behr (lute) and Silvia Tecardi (viola da gamba)
Final concert
Sunday, 30 August 2026, 11.30 am, Admont Collegiate Church
In the traditional closing concert, all course participants, together with their tutors, perform the works they have prepared during the course week. The Admont Lute Autumn sees itself not only as a high-calibre platform for professional development, but also as a place for people to meet, for cultural exchange and for sharing a passion for early music.
The organiser would like to thank Admont Abbey, together with Abbot Gerhard Hafner, for their many years of generous support, and the market town of Admont for its valuable backing.
Further information: www.lautenherbst.at
