Festival des Nuits Romantiques du Lac du Bourget

The Nuits Romantiques du Lac du Bourget: thirty years of musical excellence

Since 1995, the Festival des Nuits Romantiques du Lac du Bourget has established itself as one of the major classical music events in France. Born from the desire to make the masterpieces of the romantic repertoire resonate in the exceptional venues of Aix-les-Bains and its surroundings, this festival has won over a loyal and discerning audience, attracted by the quality of its programming and the magic of its concert settings.

Exceptional venues for music

The Festival des Nuits Romantiques is distinguished by its remarkable choice of concert venues. The Théâtre du Casino Grand Cercle, an architectural gem of the Belle Époque and a listed Historic Monument, offers sumptuous acoustics and decor for recitals and chamber music concerts. The Abbaye royale d'Hautecombe, nestled on the shores of Lac du Bourget, offers a unique spiritual and contemplative atmosphere for sunset concerts. The Centre des Congrès of Aix-les-Bains hosts larger orchestral ensembles.

This diversity of venues allows the festival to offer a complete musical experience, where each concert is enhanced by its architectural and natural setting. Lac du Bourget, the largest natural lake in France, provides a magnificent backdrop that adds a contemplative dimension to each evening.

A prestigious program

Under the artistic direction of violinist Philippe Bernhard, a former member of the Quatuor Modigliani, the festival brings together internationally renowned artists each year. Over the years, the Nuits Romantiques have hosted exceptional performers such as Renaud Capuçon, Gautier Capuçon, Abdel Rahman El Bacha, Nemanja Radulovic, the Quatuor Alban Berg, the Quatuor Ysaÿe, and Marek Janowski with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France.

The repertoire, centered on the romantic period, explores the works of the great composers of the 19th century: Chopin, Schumann, Liszt, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Dvořák, but also includes excursions into the baroque and contemporary repertoire. Each edition is structured around a theme or a key composer, offering a coherent and illuminating thread.

Strong territorial roots

The festival contributes to the cultural influence of Aix-les-Bains and the Riviera des Alpes, fitting into the city's spa and tourist tradition. The concerts are also an opportunity to discover the architectural and natural heritage of the region, creating an intimate link between music, landscape, and history. School concerts are also offered, reaching over 200 students each year and ensuring the transmission of musical passion to younger generations.