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April 14th at 17:00, Norðurljós hallOpening Concert Barokkbandið Brák



The opening concert of the Reykjavík Early Music Festival features Barokkbandið Brák on its 10th anniversary with a programme that explores the vibrant interplay between Italian and French Baroque traditions through works by Locatelli, Castrucci, Leclair, and Vivaldi. Highlighting their shared influences and distinct voices, the repertoire showcases the expressive power and virtuosity of 18th-century string music.

Pietro Locatelli’s Introduzione Teatrale sets the tone with its dramatic flair and lyrical elegance. Francesco Castrucci, a pupil of Corelli, continues the Italian legacy with a Concerto Grosso blending Roman sophistication and his own inventive style.

Jean-Marie Leclair adds a French dimension with a trio sonata and Violin Concerto fr, combining refined elegance with fiery virtuosity. Antonio Vivaldi’s Concerto for Strings, RV 158 injects rhythmic vitality and dynamic contrasts, reflecting his Venetian mastery.

The programme concludes with another Concerto Grosso by Locatelli, showcasing his innovative use of ensemble textures and solo brilliance. Together, these works celebrate the interconnected artistry of Baroque pioneers.

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April 14th at 19:30, Norðurljós  hall
Dangerous LiaisonsGadus Morhua Ensemble


Did the ash from the 1783 Skaftáreldar eruption push France towards Revolution? Would it have been better to refrain from claiming countless colonies? Jean-Philippe Rameau and other giants of the exquisitely refined French Baroque are re-imagined in a variety of ways and heard in dialogue with the Icelandic traditional instrument langspil, newly composed poetry, and music by the Gadus Morhua Ensemble trio.

Baroque cello and langspil met for the first time - that we know - in Stykkishólmur in the summer 2016. Their harmony let imagination loose, and a new style was born: the turfhouse baroque.

The Gadus Morhua Ensemble:
Steinunn Arnbjörg Stefánsdóttir, Björk Níelsdóttir, Eyjólfur Eyjólfsson and Guðrún Óskarsdóttir

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April 15th at 10:00 and 11:00, Norðurljós hallBaby Baroquewith Svafa Þórhallsdóttir



Concerts for ages 0–3! Baroque music will be performed in a child-friendly way with a special focus on the youngest audience members. Svafa Þórhallsdóttir soprano along with violinist Guðbjörg Hlín Guðmundsdóttir and harpsichordist Halldór Bjarki Arnarson will perform on Baroque instruments, which produce a light and pure sound particularly suited for the very young.

The program includes music by composers such as Händel, Mozart, Bach, Purcell, and Gluck. Additionally, there will be a delightful surprise from the Icelandic folk music tradition, featuring familiar tunes that many audience members will recognize and are welcome to sing along with.

The concerts are interactive, with Svafa using her voice, storytelling, moving around freely, and using props to create an imaginative space. This encourages creativity and makes both children and adults active participants in the music.

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April 15th and 16th at 13:00, at Harpa FoyerLunch Concert Performers of the festival


Reykjavík Early Music Festival offers free chamber music concerts in Harpa Foye where a selection of festival performers from different backgrounds come together to perform short concerts. You never know who will embrace the stage or what will be played, so why not come along and enjoy this surprise concert.

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April 16th at 17:00, Norðurljós hallSirens and Soldiers - Songs without words from the 17th century
Concerto Scirocco



Dive deep into the captivating sound of seventeenth-century music with Sirens and Soldiers, a program inspired by the newly released album by Concerto Scirocco. This concert invites you to discover a time when instruments were entrusted with the power to narrate, evoke emotions, and paint vivid images—just like the human voice.

Long before the Romantic era defined the Lied as a genre for voice and accompaniment, composers of the late Renaissance and early Baroque sought to "make the instrument speak." They created symphonies, canzonas, dances, fantasias, and diminutions, all with the goal of stirring the affections and moving the listener. As the Venetian theorist Silvestro Ganassi wrote in 1535, music can imitate the wonders of nature and mankind, reflecting the beauty of the world even in the absence of words.

In Sirens and Soldiers, Concerto Scirocco brings to life the rhetorical and virtuosic wonders of instrumental music from this flourishing period. The programme delves into the deep connections between music and the other arts—poetry, narrative, and painting—showcasing the ingenuity of composers who harnessed the expressive power of their instruments to captivate and inspire.

Join us for an unforgettable journey into the expressive heart of the seventeenth century, where the voices of sirens and soldiers echo through the strings and winds of masterful musicianship.

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April 16th at 19:30, Norðurljós hall
The Goldberg VariationsMarcin Świątkiewicz


Reykjavík Early Music Festival presents one of the most captivating keyboard works in music history – The Goldberg Variations by Johann Sebastian Bach, performed by Polish harpsichordist Marcin Świątkiewicz.

The Goldberg Variations are among Bach’s most profound and intricate compositions, blending lyrical beauty, clarity, and technical brilliance into an unforgettable musical journey. The variations are both deeply expressive and ingeniously structured, with each movement flowing seamlessly into the next, showcasing Bach’s unparalleled mastery.

Marcin Świątkiewicz is one of the leading baroque musicians of his generation, renowned for his dynamic and insightful interpretations. Acclaimed for his exceptional performances of Bach’s keyboard works, he is a sought-after soloist and collaborator with some of the world’s top baroque ensembles.

Experience The Goldberg Variations in the hands of this outstanding harpsichordist, where the delicate resonance of the instrument brings out the work’s depth and nuance in a unique and intimate setting.

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April 17th at 11:00 and 12:00, Þríund
Kids Baroque Natalia Duarte and Anna Tóth



Families are invited to join this interactive music concert with Natalia Duarte (baroque violin, baroque viola) and Anna Tóth (baroque cello) on historical instruments. Come discover the sound of gut strings, and move to the rhythms of baroque dances written by Purcell, Bach, Geminiani and others.

The activity is aimed for children from 4 years although all are welcome. There will be a short introduction in Icelandic and English. (Lenght: 45’)

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April 17th at 14:00, Norðurljós hall
Early BirdsEspoon Barokki and Olga Heikkilä


Experience the enchanting world of birds in music with Early Birds, a captivating concert program celebrating the rich tapestry of baroque compositions inspired by our feathered friends. From the intricate imitations of birdsong to the more abstract evocations of nature's beauty, this concert promises a truly unique and delightful experience for all music lovers.

The works of Georg Friedrich Händel, Jean-Philippe Rameau, Johann Joseph Fux, and Élisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre take center stage, where their compositions bring birds to life—sometimes through the virtuosic imitations of instruments and voice, and at other times through subtle references in movement titles.

Adding a modern twist to the program, Early Birds will open with the world premiere of a newly commissioned work by renowned Finnish composer Olli Kortekangas, written in celebration of Espoo Baroque’s 10th anniversary.

Founded in 2015, Espoon Barokki is an ensemble of early music professionals dedicated to bringing historical music to life across Finland. With performances in nearly 40 locations and collaborations with distinguished conductors, Espoon Barokki has become a key player in the Finnish music scene. Their annual festival, Espoon Barokki Days, continues to introduce audiences to exceptional early music experiences.

The concert will also feature the celebrated Finnish soprano Olga Heikkilä, whose remarkable versatility and radiant voice have graced the stages of Stuttgart and Berlin State Operas, as well as La Monnaie in Brussels.

April 17th at 17:00, Norðurljós hallBach and FriendsAkademie für Alte Musik Berlin and Xenia Löffler


For the first time in Iceland, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin presents an extraordinary program exploring the musical world of Johann Sebastian Bach and his inspirations. Recognized as one of the world’s leading period instrument ensembles, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin is renowned for its dynamic and authentic interpretations of Baroque and Classical repertoire. Their performances bring historical music to life with exceptional energy and precision.

The concert features a selection of works by composers who influenced Bach, including his close friend Georg Philipp Telemann, the Italian masters Antonio Vivaldi and Pietro Locatelli, as well as George Frideric Handel and Reinhard Keiser. Bach’s deep admiration for the Italian style is reflected in his own compositions, including the Oboe Concerto in G major and the Concerto for Oboe and Violin, both of which will be performed by the outstanding oboist Xenia Löffler as soloist.

In collaboration with Menntaskóli í Tónlist and the Iceland University of the Arts, selected students will join the ensemble for a special performance, creating a unique opportunity for emerging musicians to share the stage with world-class professionals.

Join us for this historic Icelandic debut of Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, celebrating Bach, his influences, and the rich European Baroque tradition.

This concert is supported by the Goethe-Institut.