Twice as many concerts, artists and spectators… In ten years, the Easter Festival of Aix-en-Provence has never ceased to assert its place in the European landscape.
Focusing on excellence, transmission and openness, three pillars that have made the identity of this
"French-style Salzburg"
.
And forged lasting memories in the hearts of music lovers.
From the first steps on stage of the Syrian violinist Bilal Al Nemr to the surprise duo of Daniel Barenboïm and Martha Argerich.
From Radu Lupu's above-ground recital to the ecstatic
Saint Matthew
of the Pygmalion Ensemble.
From the fraternal communion
of Schubert's
Octet to the
Quartet for the end of time
at Camp des Milles...
For its tenth anniversary, scheduled for next spring, the event pushes its values to their climax.
Recalling that it
"is part of the long term"
, according to Dominique Bluzet, co-director of the event with Renaud Capuçon.
An edition
“under the sign of celebration and reunion with young musicians”
, summarizes the latter.
Always more openness, therefore.
Launching with a popular tribute to French cinema carried by Capuçon and the all-terrain musicians of the Siècles Pop.
But also many appointments for families: from the jazzy
Peter and the Wolf
of the Amazing Keystone Big Band to the musical tale of Joann Sfar and Marc-Olivier Dupin
Monsieur Crocodile is very hungry
.
A reunion with the big names, all generations combined, who marked the festival.
Whether with orchestras, for a parade of exceptional drumsticks (Ivan Fischer, Semyon Bychkov, Daniele Gatti, Lionel Bringuier…) or in chamber music (Martha Argerich, David Fray, Alexandre Kantorow, to name just these three- there, to which it will suffice to add Igor Levit to remember that the piano has always been king in Aix).
Read alsoThe new sensitive strings of the French violin
But Easter in Aix, it is also these
Passions
that have anchored it, musically and spiritually, as a major haven for the Baroque in France.
This is evidenced this year by the
Saint Matthieu
entrusted to Christophe Rousset or the
Stabat Mater
by Pergolèse by René Jacobs and his B'Rock Orchestra.
In recent years, the voice has also been digging its furrow there.
This will be given pride of place with the legendary Lausanne Vocal Ensemble (at the start of the festival in
Mozart's
Grande C
and Rossini's
Petite Solennelle).
But also a daring tribute to Wagner that will be disputed by Fabio Luisi (Wagner gala with soprano Gun-Brit Barkmin) and François-Xavier Roth, in a highly anticipated concert version of the
Vaisseau Fantôme
with its Cologne orchestra.
Finally, it would not be the tenth anniversary of the festival without the return of the young people who made the rich hours of Génération @ Aix.
Twenty-seven are back this year, around three concerts, articulated around cellos, winds or the traditional carte blanche of Renaud Capuçon which closes each edition.
From March 31 to April 16.
Res.: festivalpaques.com
