8pm, at the Grand Théâtre de Provence:

ELĪNA GARANČA — MALCOLM MARTINEAU – CONCERT

Elīna Garanča: Mezzo-Soprano

Malcom Martineau: Pianist

Program not yet announced

Elīna Garanča is one of the world’s most sought-after mezzo-sopranos. She is known as the “velvet mezzo” for her rich, velvety timbre in a wide repertoire ranging from Verdi to Bizet. But the Latvian singer has chosen to perform in Aix in works particularly dear to her heart: the music of her country. The fabulous cultural heritage of the Baltic States is little known in France, and as one of the most musical countries in the world, Latvia is full of excellent composers such as Mediņš, Kalniņš and Vitols. Alongside magician Malcolm Martineau, Elīna Garanča interprets these treasures with irresistible conviction. Masterpieces by Strauss and Rachmaninov complete this intimate recital.

8pm, Théâtre du Jeu de Paume:

THE RETURN OF ULYSSE TO HIS COUNTRY, by C. Monteverdi

New Aix-en-Provence Festival production

Cappella Mediterranea Orchestra

Leonardo García Alarcón: Music director

Pierre Audi: Stage direction

John Brancy: Ulysse

Deepa Johnny: Penelope

Anthony León: Telemachus

Mariana Flores : L’Amour / Minerve

Marcel Beekman: Irus

Alex Rosen: Time / Antinous

Petr Nekoranec: Pisandre

Mark Milhofer: Eumete

Giuseppina Bridelli: Fortune / Melantho

Joel Williams : Eurymaque

Paul-Antoine Bénos-Dijan: Human Fragility /Amphinome

Ce spectacle est à marquer d’une pierre blanche pour de nombreuses raisons. Après Le Couronnement de Poppée et L’Orfeo en 2022, le Festival d’Aix poursuit en effet son mémorable cycle Monteverdi. De plus, Le Retour d’Ulysse dans sa patrie fut le tout premier spectacle lyrique de Pierre Audi lorsqu’il prit la tête de l’Opéra d’Amsterdam en 1990. Désormais à la direction du festival provençal, le metteur en scène franco-libanais retourne tout naturellement à ce sommet absolu de la musique baroque et lui offre tous les égards qu’il mérite. Parmi les éléments les plus attendus de cette prestigieuse production figure Leonardo Garcia Alarcón dirigeant son ensemble Cappella Mediterranea. Le chef argentin interprète la musique de Monteverdi comme il respire. Tous les chanteurs partagent l’émotion naturelle et l’élan chorégraphique de sa direction musicale.

8pm, at the Grand Théâtre de Provence:

EVAN ROGISTER — CONCERT

Mediterranean Youth Orchestra

Evan Rogister Conductor

Program not yet announced.

The Mediterranean Youth Orchestra (OJM) celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. It’s the perfect opportunity to offer an evening celebrating its exceptional character. The cultural diversity of the Mediterranean shapes the OJM, which defies the conventional limits of the orchestra, combining Mediterranean cultural heritages, collective compositions, improvisations, orality and memory, and symphonic writing. Mediterranean Youth Orchestra concerts are always unique, and this anniversary evening, under the direction of Evan Rogister (current Music Director in New York and Washington) promises to be particularly memorable!

8pm, at the Grand Théâtre de Provence:

LA CLÉMENCE DE TITUS, by W.A. Mozart – CONCERT VERSION

Pygmalion Choir and Orchestra

Raphaël Pichon: Musical Director

Romain Gilbert: Stage direction

Pene Pati: Titus

Karine Deshayes: Vitellia

Marianne Crebassa: Sextus

Lea Desandre: Annius

Emily Pogorelc: Servilia

Nahuel di Pierro: Publius

Raphaël Pichon is one of the great heroes of the Aix-en-Provence Festival. After revealing all the beauties of Idomeneo in 2022, the French conductor takes on Mozart’s ultimate masterpiece for the first time, infusing it with his unrivalled sense of musical theater. And to make some of Mozart’s most beautiful arias shine, an exceptional cast has been assembled, comprising artists who have particularly illuminated recent editions of the Festival, including Pene Pati and Karine Deshayes, who make their eagerly-awaited debuts as Titus and Vitellia. The dynamic forces of the Pygmalion Ensemble and Chorus will give the Capitole’s grand conflagration all the scope it deserves.