Festival des Monts de la Madeleine

Classical Music at the Heart of the Monts de la Madeleine

The Festival des Monts de la Madeleine is a major summer musical event in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, led since 2003 by the Pentatête association. For nearly a month, between mid-July and mid-August, the festival takes over the churches, chapels, priories, and heritage sites of the Monts de la Madeleine for about thirty classical and chamber music concerts.

An Excellent Musical Program

The festival stands out for the quality and diversity of its musical program, which embraces a wide repertoire:

• Baroque Music: harpsichord, early music, and repertoire from the 17th and 18th centuries
• Classical Music: concertos, sonatas, and quartets from the classical and romantic repertoire, including Mozart's famous Requiem
• Chamber Music: trios, quartets, and ensembles in the intimate setting of heritage sites
• World Music: sitar and resonances from India, jazz, and "guinguette" for moments of discovery
• Cine-concerts: film screenings accompanied by live music

The festival showcases a wide variety of instruments: from the sitar to the tuba, from the harpsichord to the accordion, from ethereal flutes to powerful brass, each concert is an invitation to sonic discovery.

Young Talents and Experienced Musicians

One of the fundamental missions of the festival is to highlight young talents by bringing them together on stage with seasoned musicians. This intergenerational encounter creates an elegant and professional blend, allowing young artists to perform on stage under optimal conditions while benefiting from the experience of their elders.

House Concerts

The "house concerts" are the original signature of the Pentatête association. These intimate concerts take place in private homes, gardens, and unusual locations, offering the public a unique musical experience in direct proximity to the artists. These privileged moments create a warm and friendly atmosphere, far from the codes of traditional classical concerts.

A Traveling Festival Through the Villages

The Festival des Monts de la Madeleine is a traveling festival that tours the villages and towns of the Monts de la Madeleine, a mountain range straddling several departments:

• Allier (03): Laprugne, Saint-Nicolas-des-Biefs, Le Donjon, Saint-Germain-des-Fossés, Barrais-Bussolles, Isserpent, Arfeuilles, Châtel-Montagne
• Loire (42): Renaison, Villerest, Ambierle, Saint-Haon-le-Châtel, Le Crozet, Charlieu, Pouilly-les-Nonains
• Puy-de-Dôme (63): occasional concerts in the Riom basin and surrounding areas

Concerts are mainly held in Romanesque and Gothic churches, whose remarkable acoustics enhance the musicians' performances. Some venues, such as the Prieuré de Renaison or the church of Châtel-Montagne, are classified architectural gems.

The Pentatête Association

The Pentatête association has been behind the Festival des Monts de la Madeleine since its creation in 2003. This cultural association works to promote classical and chamber music in rural areas, with the conviction that quality music should be accessible everywhere, even in the most remote villages. Beyond the summer festival, Pentatête organizes musical events throughout the year.