The Thoronet Medieval Music Encounters

A magical place with outstanding acoustics, the prestigious nave of the Thoronet Cistercian abbey has been hosting, for more than twenty years, one of the most prominent European festivals of medieval music: the Thoronet Medieval Music Encounters.

History of the festival

This music festival was launched in 1991 by Eric Michel, the Var departmental representative for music. Founded in 1146, the Thoronet Abbey is amongst the most beautiful ever owned by the Cistercian order in France. Eric Michel’s aim was then to have medieval music played within this outstanding historic environment.

Since the festival was launched, Dominique Vellard, the appointed artistic director, focuses on all features specific to medieval music. This is a voyage through seven centuries of music ! An outstanding musical experience through the artistic richness and the creativeness of monody repertoires, and the numerous polyphony evolutions they have generated.

The Thoronet Early Music Academy

Since 2007, the festival has added an educational approach : the Thoronet International Early Music Academy. A natural extension to the Medieval Music Encounters, it is held in August under the tutorship of Dominique Vellard, Marie-Noël Colette and Anne Delafosse. The Academy is open to singers from all countries, and, in 2013, will be dedicated to Gregorian chant. The second part of the course will involve polyphonic repertoires among the most exciting of the 12th and 13th centuries, those of the Notre-Dame de Paris School, then a European musical centre in full swing. A closing concert by students and tutors is scheduled on Wednesday 14th August at 9:00 pm at the Thoronet Abbey.

A news is linked to article Les Rencontres Internationales du Thoronet »

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