Chants Libres

Sharing Choral Singing

Chants Libres is a national-scale choral art festival, initiated by the Fondation Bettencourt Schueller as part of its historic commitment to choral singing. Deployed simultaneously in several regions of France, it is supported in Côtes-d'Armor by the chœur de chambre Mélisme(s), a professional vocal ensemble directed by Gildas Pungier and based in Trégor.

A multi-site festival in Brittany

Brittany joined the Chants Libres adventure in 2024, alongside the Maîtrise de Sainte-Anne-d'Auray in Morbihan. In Côtes-d'Armor, Mélisme(s) offers concerts in heritage sites and unusual spaces — industrial sites, train stations, natural areas — with the aim of bringing choral music where it is rarely present. The programs blend classical repertoire and contemporary creation.

Professional, amateur and children's choirs

The originality of Chants Libres lies in the encounter between professional choirs, amateur choirs and children's choirs. Participatory workshops, open rehearsals and “enchanted moments” in public spaces allow the audience to discover choral singing spontaneously and joyfully. The festival thus creates bridges between amateur practice and professional excellence.