Festival Aspects of Today's Music
The contemporary music festival of the Caen Conservatory and Orchestra
About Aspects
More than forty years of contemporary music in Caen
The Aspects of Today's Music Festival was created in 1982 by Jean-Pierre Dautel, founder of the Orchestre de Caen. Every year in March, the Caen Conservatory transforms into a hub for contemporary music, hosting a composer in residence for a week of immersion in their musical world. With over 40 editions to its name, Aspects is one of the oldest and most prestigious contemporary music festivals in France.
An invited composer at the heart of the festival
The founding principle of Aspects is to invite a renowned composer in residence at the Conservatory each year. In a co-created program, featuring chamber music, symphonic ensembles, opera for young audiences, and masterclasses, artist-teachers, guest artists, and students delve into the composer's repertoire, in their presence.
Memorable Editions
In 2024, for the 42nd edition, British composer George Benjamin was in residence. In 2025, as part of the Caen Millennium, Franco-Lebanese composer Zad Moultaka was the guest of honor, presenting the world premiere of his Requiem for a Resurrection, commissioned by the festival for the opening concert "Baal".
The Jean-Pierre Dautel Auditorium
The festival's concerts are mainly held in the Conservatory's Jean-Pierre Dautel Auditorium, named in homage to the festival's founder. The Orchestre Régional de Normandie regularly participates in the festival's symphonic concerts, offering high-level interpretations of the contemporary works programmed.
Aspects — edition 2026
The 44th edition of the Festival Aspects des Musiques d'Aujourd'hui took place from March 17 to 22, 2026, at the Conservatoire et Orchestre de Caen. This exceptional edition paid tribute to the Franco-American composer Betsy Jolas, a few months before her centenary, a major figure in the music of our time.
Aspects Festival 2026 — 44th Edition: Betsy Jolas in the Spotlight
From March 17 to 22, 2026, the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Caen hosted the 44th edition of the Aspects festival, dedicated to the Franco-American composer Betsy Jolas. Born in Paris in 1926 and a student of Darius Milhaud and Olivier Messiaen, she was honored in the year of her 100th birthday, in an edition created in collaboration with the artist.
Betsy Jolas's work was presented alongside those of Dutilleux, Debussy, and Berio. The young musicians of the Conservatoire also immersed themselves in the scores of Steve Reich, György Kurtág, and Dan Forrest.
Guest Composers and Artists
In addition to Betsy Jolas, the festival welcomed Italian composer Matteo Gualandi in residence, as part of a partnership with the Fondation Royaumont, as well as pianist Roger Muraro, a renowned interpreter of Messiaen's complete works, who led masterclasses and meetings.
An Exhibition and a Documentary
An exhibition dedicated to the life and work of Betsy Jolas was presented in the institution's hall starting March 2, 2026. The documentary « A Portrait of Betsy Jolas » was screened on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 12:30 PM in the small auditorium.
Programme Aspects 2026
The 44th edition offered eight professional concerts, student pre-performances, masterclasses, and talks, from March 17 to 22, 2026.
Program Highlights
- Starting March 2, 2026 — Exhibition « Betsy Jolas, a life listening to the world » in the Conservatoire hall
- Wednesday, March 18, 2026 — World premiere of « Minisymphonie » by Matteo Gualandi for string orchestra, performed by the second-cycle student string orchestra, under the direction of Christophe Denel
- Thursday, March 19, 2026, 12:30 PM — Screening of the documentary « A Portrait of Betsy Jolas » (small auditorium)
- Meeting-masterclass with pianist Roger Muraro and composer Matteo Gualandi
- Student pre-performances from the Conservatoire featuring contemporary repertoires (Betsy Jolas, Steve Reich, György Kurtág, Dan Forrest)
- Public talks on contemporary creation
Works by Betsy Jolas presented alongside Dutilleux, Debussy, Berio, and Messiaen.
Highlights Aspects 2026
- Tribute to Betsy Jolas for her centenary, in her presence
- World premiere of « Minisymphonie » by Matteo Gualandi
- Meeting-masterclass with pianist Roger Muraro
- Eight professional concerts, pre-performances, masterclasses, and talks
Practical information — Aspects
Practical Information
Location
Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Caen, 1 rue du Carel, 14000 Caen, Calvados, Normandie.
Access
- By car: Parking available in Caen city center.
- By train: Caen SNCF station, a 10-minute walk from the Conservatory.
- By tram: Résistance or Saint-Pierre stop.
Prices
- Prices vary depending on the concert
- Some events are free (masterclasses, meetings)
Ticketing
Tickets available on conservatoire-orchestre.caen.fr.
Contact
- Website: conservatoire-orchestre.caen.fr
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Vous avez repéré une erreur ou une information manquante ?
Aidez-nous à garder cette fiche à jour. Toute proposition est relue par notre équipe avant publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No review yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Where does it take place — Aspects
Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Caen
1 rue du Carel, 14000 Caen