Festival des Rencontres Arioso

Festival des Rencontres Arioso: Classical Music Differently in Thiers

Since 2013, the association Les Rencontres Arioso has been enlivening the cultural life of Thiers and its surroundings by organizing classical, chamber, and jazz music concerts throughout the year. The highlight of this program is the summer festival, which takes place every August in the heritage sites of the cutlery city: Romanesque churches, the Croix de Fer theater, historic halls.

An Excellent Program

The Festival des Rencontres Arioso stands out for the quality and diversity of its programming. The concerts explore a wide musical spectrum:

• Baroque Music: specialized ensembles performing French and European repertoire from the 17th and 18th centuries
• Classical and Romantic Music: string quartets, piano recitals, chamber music
• Choral Music: large vocal ensembles performing sacred and secular works
• World Music: discovery of Slavic, Gypsy, Nordic, and American musical traditions
• Musical Theater: creations combining music and literary text

Exceptional Heritage Sites

The festival concerts take place in the heritage sites of Thiers, offering an exceptional setting for the music. The Saint-Genès church, the Moutier church, the Croix de Fer theater, and other historic sites in the city host artists with remarkable acoustics, contributing to the rediscovery of Thiers' heritage.

An Accessible and Committed Festival

True to its philosophy of openness, the festival offers accessible prices (€18 full price, €10 reduced price) and free admission for under-18s. The association Les Rencontres Arioso also organizes choral workshops and conferences throughout the year, in Thiers and Vichy, contributing to the democratization of classical music in rural areas.