The International Festival of Opera

Thee Festival and its history

"It all kicked off with a simple courtyard: the 'cour de l'Archevêché' (Archbishop's courtyard), where horse-drawn carriages of old used to wind up after their trips. A group of men and women fuelled by the enthusiasm and drive of inspired visionary and artistic director Gabriel Dussurget were to transform this courtyard into a temple of music, theatre and song as well as a leading festival venue."

In 1948 : Creation of the festival. There were several concerts and recitals in the city. An opera adds to these concerts, Cosi fan tutte (Mozart).

In 1949 : Festival takes all its dimension due to Don Giovanni. Gabriel Dussurget collaborates with the painter Cassandre who conceives the scenery. During twenty four years, Cassandre's theater is going to welcome diversified lyric productions.

In 1974 : Festival turns to Bel Canto with Bernard Lefort. The Italian song from the XIXth century (Verdi, Donizetti) and the stars of Bel canto (Horne, Caballé, Sass) surround Archbishopric.

In 1982 : Louis Erlo develops the baroque repertoire and increases the standing of Mozart, Lully, Rameau… without abandoning the famous composers from the XXth century, Prokofiev and Britten.

In 1998 : Stéphane Lissner brings a new breath to the Festival, fifty years after the creation. He renews the Archbishop Theatre and inaugurates there the programming by Don Giovanni. He also creates the European Music academy.

In 2007 : Bernard Foccroulle became the Director of the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence. Attached to the baroque repertoire as well as modern productions, he wants to transform the opera house into a lively urban meeting place.

Operas

Götterdämmerung (Gods' twilight) - Richard Wagner - " Grand Théâtre de Provence" - 5.30 pm
July 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th.

Idomeneo, Re di Creta (Idoménée, king of Crete) - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart- "Théâtre de l'Archevêché" - 9.30 pm
July 4th, 7th, 10th, 13th,15th and 17th.

Orphée in Hell - Jacques Offenbach - " Théâtre de l'Archevêché" - 10.00 pm
July 5th, 8th, 9th, 11th, 14th, 16th, 18th and 20th.

Die Zauberflöte (Enchanted flute) - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - "Grand Théâtre de Provence" - 8.00 pm
July 25th, 26th, 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st.

Concerts

July 4th
- at midday : Lauréats HSBC 2008 - European Music Academy
- at 9.00 pm : Athenaüm Quartett - Berliner Philharmoniker

July 5th
- at 5.00 pm : György et Marta Kurtág - Recital
- at 7.30 pm : Pierre Boulez - Berliner Philharmoniker

July 7th at 9.00 pm : Trio Sainte Victoire - Berliner Philharmoniker

July 9th at 9.00 pm : Zad Moultaka - Mediterranean music

July 10th
- at 8.00 pm : Magdalena Kozena - Camerata Salzburg
- at 9.00 pm : Scharoun Ensemble - Berliner Philharmoniker

July 11th at 7.30 pm : Sir Simon Rattle - Berliner Philharmoniker

July 15th at 9.00 pm : Camerata Salzburg - European Music Academy

July 18th at 9.00 pm : Ay !! Amor... - Mediterranean music

July 19th at 9.00 pm : El Grito, El Silencio - Mediterranean music

July 23rd an 24th at 9.00 pm : Heinrich Schiff - Suites for violoncello (Bach)

July 25th at 5.00 pm : William Kentridge - Reading - Performance : I am not me, the horse is not mine

July 27th at 8.00 pm : Joyce DiDonato - Lyrics talents

Information and booking

More information >> International Festival of Opera

Booking in your tourist office : 04 42 16 11 70. You can also book your shows online.