Contratemps Festival

The Contratemps Festival takes place in emblematic locations in Sant Cugat del Vallès and Terrassa, with an innovative and accessible approach for all audiences.

The festival invites you to discover the sounds of the Renaissance, the Baroque and other historical periods from a contemporary perspective, with period instruments and formats that go far beyond the traditional concert.

The program combines music with disciplines such as contemporary dance, circus arts, and yoga. It also includes staged operas, exhibitions of historical instruments, lectures, debates, children's shows, and improvisation sessions inspired by ancient melodies.

This variety allows each activity to offer a different way to approach musical heritage. You can enjoy a performance faithful to the instruments and sounds of another era, but presented with contemporary sensitivity, creativity, and a willingness to engage with other artistic languages.

The Contratemps Festival was born from the initiative of the Sant Cugat Early Music Collective, made up of musicians, musicologists, luthiers, and educators. Its aim is to make historical music accessible to both specialists and those discovering it for the first time. Children are also welcome and have access to activities specially designed to spark their curiosity.

Throughout its various editions, the festival has promoted its own productions, revivals of works, and collaborations with renowned artists and ensembles. Some of these productions have subsequently traveled to theaters, auditoriums, and festivals around the world.

Let yourself be surprised by music with centuries of history, but with many things to tell you today.

We're waiting for you!