Festival de Saint-Céré -
Classic Hits: Chopin, Mahler & Scarletti
18 July - Sonatas of Scarlatti, château d'Assier
Live recording by Radio France- Chateau d’Assier
Radio France will record all 555 harpsichord sonatas by Italian composer Scarlatti. 30 harpsichordists from 10 countries perform for the recording at the stunning Castle d’Assier.
Mahler Symphony No.4, 9.00pm - 9&16 August, château de Castelnau-Bretenoux
The festival orchestra performs in the auditorium of Cahors and the castle Castelnau-Bretenoux.
Chopin Concerto No. 1, 9:00pm - 7,9,11 August, various performances
Piano and quintet o be performed at the Château de Labastide-Marnhac, Théâtre de l'Usine (Saint-Céré) and the Church in Martel.
A Night at the Opera
Three troupes of up and coming young talents, touted as potential stars of tomorrow, perform three operatic stories with a fresh, youthful and innovative vigour.
Les Noces de Figaro, 9:30pm - 10&14 August 2018
Château de Castelnau-Bretenoux
Mozart’s comic opera sequel to The Barber of Seville, The Marriage of Figaro (Les Noces de Figaro) follows the scheming of men as they are outmanoeuvred by the women they are seeking to control in a light-hearted opera with serious intent. Interrupted for a modern age and played with sensual energy by tomorrow’s stars of the Opera scene. Staged in the magnificent Castle of Castelnau-Bretenoux.
La Traviata, 9:00pm - 6,13,18 August 2018
Théâtre de l'Usine, Saint-Céré
Italian composer Verdi’s classic tale of a Parisian courtesan’s death and the last love that awakes her desire for life before her tragic end. An avant-garde reinterpretation with a feminist sensibility, featuring soprano Serenade B. Uyar.
Les Contes d'Hoffmann, 9:30pm - 4,8,12,15,17 August 2018
Château de Castelnau- Bretenoux
Performed in the spectacular castle of Castelnau-Bretenoux, three acts depict three women idealized by the male protagonist Hoffman. This 19th Century opera fantastique is regarded as a masterpiece of French romanticism. This production has performed to rave reviews for its musical precision, finesse and inventive visuals.
Full listings and tickets
These are the main highlights of the festival, but there remain a wealth of other concerts and associated theatre events on the programme including chamber music, cabaret and musical theatre.
For full details, including booking concert tickets, please click here.