The Spring of Ancient Music in Mayenne

A unique festival in Mayenne

The Spring of Ancient Music in Mayenne is the only festival in the department entirely dedicated to ancient music. Founded by the Il Ballo Association and led by lutenist Leonardo Loredo de Sá, its ambition is to introduce the Mayenne public to little-known repertoires, performed by high-level professional ensembles on period instruments.

Concerts in heritage settings

One of the festival's unique features is the choice of its concert venues, all steeped in history and boasting remarkable acoustics:

• Saint-Crépin Chapel of the Évron basilica: 11th-century Romanesque gem
• Notre-Dame de Cossé-en-Champagne Church: medieval building with authentic charm
• Pritz Chapel in Laval: one of the oldest religious buildings in Mayenne
• Other chapels and churches in the department selected for their architectural and acoustic quality

2025-2026 Program: Five Concerts in Two Acts

The 2025-2026 edition, the 5th of its kind, offers five concerts divided into two parts:

Act 1 — Autumn 2025 (September 26-28)

• "Granada": Spanish music from the Renaissance to the time of the Reconquest of Granada, by Ensemble Il Ballo
• Concerts in the churches and chapels of southern Mayenne
• "Rose et Lys" by the ensemble Le Banquet du Roy: a musical journey from London to the Loire Valley by the viola da gamba

Act 2 — Spring 2026 (March 28-29)

• Concerts celebrating the riches of medieval, Renaissance, and baroque music
• Sephardic music and traditions from South America, Scotland, Ireland, and England

Cultural and Educational Outreach

Beyond the concerts, the festival develops an ambitious educational and cultural program:

• Open rehearsals for schoolchildren, allowing an immersion into the musicians' work
• Artistic and educational project around Galileo with the Académie des Lynx
• Lectures and presentations of ancient instruments before certain concerts

The Ensemble Il Ballo

The Ensemble Il Ballo, founded and directed by Leonardo Loredo de Sá, is an ancient music ensemble specializing in the performance of 16th and 17th-century music. Based in Mayenne, it leads the festival and actively participates in the cultural life of the department.