Festival de Musique en Albret

A festival rooted in the history of Albret

The Festival de Musique en Albret was born in 1989 under the impetus of composer Jacques Castérède, Grand Prix de Rome 1953 and honorary professor at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, and his wife Myriam Castérède, founding president of the association. For over 35 years, this summer event has combined prestige and discovery by bringing together internationally renowned musicians and emerging young talents in the heritage sites of the Albret region, in Lot-et-Garonne.

Artistic direction of excellence

In 2002, Jacques Castérède entrusted the artistic direction to cellist François Salque, a graduate of Yale and the Paris Conservatory, winner of over ten first prizes in international competitions, and a professor at the Haute École de Musique de Lausanne and the Paris Conservatory. Under his direction, the festival has expanded its repertoire, opening up to contemporary music, improvised music, and world music, while keeping the masterpieces of the classical repertoire at the heart of its programming.

A rich and eclectic program

Each summer, the festival offers about ten concerts spread over more than a month, from mid-July to mid-August. The program blends:

• Classical music: piano recitals, chamber music concerts, organ recitals, string ensembles
• Jazz and improvised music: tributes to great standards, gypsy jazz trios, carte blanche for renowned jazz musicians
• World and contemporary music: percussion, revisited baroque music, original creations

Among the artists who have marked recent editions are soprano Natalie Dessay, pianist Jacky Terrasson, guitarist Stochelo Rosenberg, organist Thierry Escaich, as well as many leading ensembles and soloists.

Remarkable concert venues

Concerts are held in historic locations spread across several towns in Albret:

• Vianne: Salle Jourdain de l'Isle, fortified medieval bastide
• Nérac: Espace d'Albret, Temple de Nérac
• Lavardac: Parc de la Mairie
• Barbaste: Théâtre de Barbaste
• Mézin: Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste
• Xaintrailles: Église de Xaintrailles
• Francescas: Église Notre-Dame

Territorial influence

Located between Bordeaux and Toulouse, the Festival de Musique en Albret actively contributes to the cultural influence of this rural area in southwestern France. It offers local audiences and summer visitors the opportunity to discover internationally renowned artists in an intimate and warm setting, within a remarkable architectural heritage. With over 105 concerts given in 20 different venues between 2015 and 2025, the festival has established itself as a major event in the cultural life of Lot-et-Garonne and Nouvelle-Aquitaine.