Concerts de l'Abbaye du Bec-Hellouin

The Concerts de l'Abbaye du Bec-Hellouin: sacred music in a millennial setting

The Concerts de l'Abbaye du Bec-Hellouin are an exceptional musical event in the heart of Normandy. Organized in the abbey church of the Abbey of Notre-Dame du Bec, these concerts offer a unique artistic and spiritual experience, where sacred music resonates under the vaults of a monument founded around 1034 by the knight Herluin.

The Ensemble Zoroastre: musical excellence and sacred repertoire

The Ensemble Zoroastre, under the direction of Savitri de Rochefort, is the privileged performer of these concerts. This vocal and instrumental ensemble is primarily dedicated to sacred works from the 18th century and the first half of the 19th. Its repertoire includes masterpieces by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Great Mass in C minor K. 427, Symphony No. 25 K. 183), Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (Magnificat Wq215), Georg Friedrich Handel, and other great composers of the Baroque and Classical periods.

An exceptional acoustic and architectural setting

The abbey church of Bec-Hellouin offers remarkable natural acoustics, enhancing vocal and instrumental performances. The Abbey of Notre-Dame du Bec, a major intellectual center of the Middle Ages which produced two Archbishops of Canterbury — Lanfranc and Saint Anselm — is a place steeped in history and spirituality. The concerts take place under the vaults of the abbey church, in an atmosphere of contemplation and beauty conducive to listening to sacred music.

Concerts during major liturgical holidays

The concerts are often scheduled during major liturgical holidays, particularly on Ascension Day, adding a spiritual dimension to the musical event. The Ensemble Vocal de Paris sometimes joins the Ensemble Zoroastre for these occasions, bringing together soloists (soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone), choir, and orchestra in faithful and vibrant interpretations of the sacred repertoire.

Le Bec-Hellouin: a village with exceptional heritage

The village of Le Bec-Hellouin, listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of France, offers an enchanting setting for these concerts. Between the half-timbered houses, the millennial abbey, and the surrounding Norman countryside, music lovers can enjoy a complete cultural and heritage getaway. Reservations are mandatory at the Bec-Hellouin tourist office due to the limited capacity of the abbey church.