Festival de la Grange de Meslay
Classical music festival founded by Sviatoslav Richter
About Grange de Meslay
The Legacy of Sviatoslav Richter
The Festival de la Grange de Meslay is one of the oldest and most prestigious classical music festivals in France. Founded in 1964 by the legendary Russian pianist Sviatoslav Richter, this festival was born from the desire to create a place where classical music would be accessible to all through quality concerts at affordable prices.
A 13th-Century Barn with Remarkable Acoustics
The festival takes place in the Grange de Meslay, an exceptional 13th-century building located in Parçay-Meslay, on the outskirts of Tours. This former tithe barn offers remarkable acoustics that captivated Richter himself during his first visit. The stone vaults and medieval carpentry create a unique atmosphere, conducive to listening to chamber music and recitals.
Concerts Beyond the Barn
For several years, the festival has extended its reach "beyond the walls" by offering concerts in various locations in the Tours metropolitan area:
- Hôtel de Ville de Tours
- Chapelle Saint-Libert in Tours
- Nouvel Atrium in Saint-Avertin
A Program of Excellence
Each year, the festival hosts artists of international renown. Among the regularly invited pianists and musicians are names like Nelson Goerner, Nikolaï Luganski, Jean-Frédéric Neuburger, Dmitry Masleev, Alexandre Tharaud, violinist Renaud Capuçon, and the Quatuor Modigliani.
A Launchpad for Young Talents
True to the open spirit of its founder, the festival also gives prominence to young talents. In partnership with ProQuartet - Centre Européen de Musique de Chambre, the festival programs emerging artists from the Centre-Val de Loire region who perform as opening acts for the main concerts.
Over 60 Years of Music
With over 60 years of existence, the Festival de la Grange de Meslay is a monument of French musical heritage. The association Les Fêtes Musicales en Touraine passionately perpetuates Richter's legacy, maintaining the artistic excellence and accessibility that have always characterized this exceptional event.
Grange de Meslay — edition 2026
62nd edition of the Festival de la Grange de Meslay, from May 28 to June 14, 2026. Eighteen days of classical music between Mettray, Tours, Saint-Avertin, and Monts, with piano recitals, chamber music, and tributes to Sviatoslav Richter. Headliners: Elisabeth Leonskaïa, Cédric Tiberghien, Joseph Moog, Eric Lu (Gold Medalist of the Chopin Competition 2025), Michel Dalberto, Jean-François Heisser, Adam Laloum.
62nd Edition: May 28 to June 14, 2026
The Festival de la Grange de Meslay returns for its 62nd edition from May 28 to June 14, 2026, with eighteen days of concerts spread between the Grange de Meslay in Mettray, the Salle Thélème in Tours, the Nouvel Atrium in Saint-Avertin, and the Domaine de Candé in Monts.
A Tribute to Sviatoslav Richter
More than twenty-five years after the death of Sviatoslav Richter, the festival he founded in 1964 continues to carry his spirit. For this 62nd edition, two of his friends and collaborators, pianists Elisabeth Leonskaïa and Michel Dalberto, will each give a concert in his memory.
Headliners and Revelations
The 2026 program combines great names in international piano – Elisabeth Leonskaïa, Cédric Tiberghien, Joseph Moog, Jean-François Heisser, Michel Dalberto, Adam Laloum – and revelations of the new generation with the young French pianist Arielle Beck (Instrumental Revelation at the Victoires de la Musique Classique 2026) and the American pianist Eric Lu, Gold Medalist 2025 of the International Chopin Competition in Warsaw.
Chamber Music and Guest Ensembles
Chamber music is in the spotlight with violinist Liya Petrova, the Quatuor Elmire, the Talich Quartet, the Quintette Moraguès, the piano duo Geister Duo, percussionist Adelaïde Ferrière, and a trio formed by clarinetist Pierre Génisson, cellist Edgar Moreau, and pianist David Kadouch.
Four Exceptional Venues
The opening concert takes place on May 28 at the Salle Thélème in Tours. The heart of the festival, as every year, is held in the Grange de Meslay, a former 13th-century tithe barn with remarkable acoustics. The "off-site" concerts continue at the Nouvel Atrium in Saint-Avertin and, new for this edition, at the Domaine de Candé in Monts.
Programme Grange de Meslay 2026
Thursday, May 28, 2026 — Salle Thélème, Tours
- 21:00 — Opening Concert: Liya Petrova (violin), Adam Laloum (piano) and Quatuor Elmire — Ravel, Debussy, Chausson
Friday, June 5, 2026 — Grange de Meslay
- 21:00 — Elisabeth Leonskaïa (piano), in tribute to Sviatoslav Richter — Schubert, Schönberg, Chopin, Brahms
Saturday, June 6, 2026 — Grange de Meslay
- 18:00 — Cédric Tiberghien (piano) — Beethoven, Diabelli Variations op. 120
- 21:00 — Joseph Moog (piano) and Talich Quartet — Schubert, Schumann
Sunday, June 7, 2026 — Grange de Meslay
- 11:00 — Arielle Beck (piano) — Bach, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Hindemith
- 16:00 — Quintette Moraguès
- 19:00 — Eric Lu (piano), Gold Medalist 2025 of the Chopin Competition — Schumann, Chopin (Sonata No. 3 op. 58), Schubert
Friday, June 12, 2026 — Nouvel Atrium, Saint-Avertin
- 20:30 — Michel Dalberto (piano), in tribute to Sviatoslav Richter
Saturday, June 13, 2026 — Domaine de Candé, Monts
- 18:00 — Adelaïde Ferrière (marimba)
- 21:00 — Geister Duo (piano four hands)
Sunday, June 14, 2026 — Domaine de Candé, Monts
- 16:00 — Jean-François Heisser (piano)
- 19:00 — Closing Concert: Pierre Génisson (clarinet), Edgar Moreau (cello), David Kadouch (piano)
Highlights Grange de Meslay 2026
- 62nd edition of the festival founded in 1964 by Sviatoslav Richter
- From May 28 to June 14, 2026 — eighteen days of concerts
- Tributes to Richter by his friends Elisabeth Leonskaïa (June 5) and Michel Dalberto (June 12)
- Recital by Eric Lu, Gold Medalist 2025 of the Chopin Competition in Warsaw
- Arielle Beck, Instrumental Revelation at the Victoires de la Musique Classique 2026
- Four venues: Grange de Meslay (13th century), Salle Thélème in Tours, Nouvel Atrium in Saint-Avertin, Domaine de Candé in Monts
- Chamber music with Quatuor Elmire, Talich Quartet, Quintette Moraguès, Geister Duo
Prices Grange de Meslay 2026
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 — Grange de Meslay
Grange de Meslay
Rue de Meslay, 37210 Parçay-Meslay, 37210 Parçay-Meslay