Beneath the streets of Brussels lies a hidden world - the ruins of Charles V’s palace - transformed since 2021 into a bold sound laboratory by the Coudenberg Sound Box Fest (CSBF). Under the artistic direction of Matteo Gemolo, this unique festival merges early music with contemporary voices, breaking boundaries and blending heritage with innovation.
Staying true to its tradition, the fifth edition will consist of four consecutive Sundays of double concerts, from 23 November to 14 December 2025, celebrating the human voice in all its depth and diversity across time and cultures. From Franco-Flemish 16th century polyphony to Mozart on period instruments, minimalistic and poetic night performances, and 18th century and contemporary women composers, the program also welcomes unconventional duos and fresh artistic encounters from pop to minimalism, offering a powerful reflection on identity, memory, and future sounds.
This year also marks a turning point with three exciting additions. NextGen 2025, a brand-new program for emerging ensembles, will provide mentorship, hands-on workshops, and a showcase concert at CSBF 2026, evaluated by a distinguished international jury of experts in the field. In collaboration with the Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel, the festival will host a public conference on the musical history of Brussels across the centuries, opening the door to deeper interdisciplinary dialogue. Finally, audiences will be invited to discover Cubiculum Musicae, an immersive installation by RicercarLab (CRNS, Université de Tours), designed to recontextualize musical works in their original historical and visual environments through a scientifically curated experience.
CSBF continues to grow as a space where echoes of the past inspire the sounds of the future.
COUDENBERG SOUND BOX FEST 25
VOICES UNBOUND: At the crossroad of vocal traditions
Sunday 23 November 18.30 - 20.30. The Voice of Crystal – Music by T. Crecquillon, J. Desprez, J. Haydn, W. A. Mozart et al.
- Il Gardellino: Marcel Ponseele, oboe | Thomas Bloch, glassharmonica | Jan de Winne, flute | Joanna Huszcza, violin | Kaat De Cock, viola | Ira Givol, cello (BE)
- Utopia Ensemble: Michaela Riener, mezzo-soprano | Bart Uvyn, countertenor | Adriaan De Koster, tenor | Lieven Termont, baritone | Jan Van Outryve, lute (BE)
- More info
- TICKETS
Monday 24 November 14.00 - 21.00. The Sounds of Brussels – Six Lectures on Music in Brussels, ca.1500 – ca.1800. Organised by the Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel. Register.
Sunday 30 November 18.30 - 20.30. The Voice of the Night – Music by B. Britten, J. Dowland, D. François, O. de Lassus, P. Malfeyt, R. de Visée et al.
- Eugénie De Mey & Sofie Vanden Eynde: female tenor & bass lute (BE)
- Didier François & Philippe Malfeyt: nyckelharpa & lute (BE)
- More info
- TICKETS
Sunday 7 December 18.30 - 20.30. The Voice of Women – Music by E. Godecharle, Las Lloronas & M. Sirmen
- Las Lloronas: Marieke Werner, voice & clarinet (DE) | Amber in 't Veld, voice & guitar (ES/NL)
- Le Pavillon de Musique: Ann Cnop, violin | Shiho Ono, violin | Mathilde Wolfs, cello (BE)
- More info
- TICKETS
Sunday 14 December 18.30 - 20.30. The Voice of the Mediterranean – Music by F. C. de Arauxo, T. Merula, C. Monterverdi, N. Berrill et al.
- Ricercar Consort: Philippe Pierlot, treble viol | Myriam Rignol, tenor viol |Anna Lachegyi, bass viol | Lucile Boulanger, bass viol (BE/FR)
- Naomi Berrill & Francesca Benetti: voices, cello & theorbo (IRL/IT)
- Official announcement of the winner of the NextGen 2025 by Philippe Pierlot
- More info
- TICKETS
From Tuesday 17 November to Sunday 14 December – Cubiculum Musicae, an immersive installation by RicercarLab (CNRS, Université de Tours), will be accessible to all visitors during the Coudenberg Palace’s opening hours, included with the museum admission ticket.
Practical information - Concerts
Doors: 18:00. End foreseen around 21:00.
ADDRESS: Coudenberg Palace, Place Royale 10, 1000 Brussels
TICKETS: €25 / €15 (-26) per concert
TEAM:
- Music Curator CSBF: Dr Matteo Gemolo
- Director Coudenberg Palace: Frédérique Honoré
WITH THE SUPPORT OF:
- Ville de Bruxelles/ Stad Brussel
- Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles
- Nationale Loterij
- Musiq 3
- Urban.brussels
- EFA
- VGC
- Playright
- Prométhéa
- Louis de waele
- Monard Law
- La Boite à Musique
- Visit.brussels
- BelArts
- Forum Opera
- JM Wallonie BXL
- La Classica
- Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel
- Ricecar Lab
- Centres d'Etudes supérieures de la Renaissance
- Be Culture
- Théobroma’s Chocolaterie Genonceaux
- Istituto Italiano di Cultura
