International Festival of Lyric Art of Aix-en-Provence
One of the most prestigious opera festivals in the world, at the Théâtre de l'Archevêché since 1948
About Festival d'Aix
One of the World's Greatest Opera Festivals
The International Festival of Lyric Art of Aix-en-Provence, commonly known as the Festival d'Aix, is one of the most prestigious lyrical events on the planet. Founded in 1948 by Gabriel Dussurget, it takes place every year in July and offers three weeks of opera productions, symphonic concerts, recitals, and contemporary creations in the most beautiful venues in Aix-en-Provence. Its enchanting setting — the open-air Théâtre de l'Archevêché, the Grand Théâtre de Provence, the Hôtel Maynier d'Oppède — lends a unique magic to the performances.
Artistic Excellence and Stage Innovation
The Festival d'Aix is distinguished by its artistic rigor and its ability to combine lyrical tradition with stage innovation. Each edition features between five and seven new opera productions, entrusted to the greatest conductors and directors of the moment, as well as operas in concert version, recitals, and chamber concerts. The festival has been the venue for historic premieres and memorable revivals, from Mozart to Britten, from Rameau to contemporary composers. The Guest Orchestras — Orchestre de l'Opéra de Lyon, London Symphony Orchestra, Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks — testify to the international reach of the event.
Exceptional Venues in the Heart of Aix-en-Provence
The Théâtre de l'Archevêché, an open-air courtyard of the former archbishop's palace, has been the festival's iconic venue since its origins. Its open-air stage, dominated by the silhouette of the Saint-Sauveur cathedral, offers an incomparable setting for summer performances. The Grand Théâtre de Provence, a modern 1,300-seat hall designed by architect Vittorio Gregotti, hosts productions requiring exceptional acoustics. Other heritage sites — the Hôtel Maynier d'Oppède, the Conservatoire Darius Milhaud, squares, and courtyards of the old town — complete the festival's geography, creating an artistic journey through the heart of the spa town.
A Festival Committed to Transmission and Creation
Beyond its lyrical programming, the Festival d'Aix pursues an active transmission policy through its European Music Academy, which trains young lyrical artists, conductors, and directors each summer. The festival also develops outreach and accessibility programs to broaden opera audiences. Its co-production policy with major international opera houses — Royal Opera House, Metropolitan Opera, Opéra de Paris — guarantees the global reach of its productions and ensures the sustainability of its artistic model.
Festival d'Aix — edition 2026
78th edition of the Festival International d'Art Lyrique d'Aix-en-Provence, from July 2 to 21, 2026, on the theme "Imprints, Legacies". Seven lyrical productions at the Théâtre de l'Archevêché, the Grand Théâtre de Provence and the Théâtre du Jeu de Paume: Mozart's The Magic Flute (Leonardo García-Alarcón / Clément Cogitore), Mozart's Requiem (Raphaël Pichon / Romeo Castellucci), Strauss's Die Frau ohne Schatten (Klaus Mäkelä / Barrie Kosky), the world premiere of Francesco Filidei's Accabadora, and Henze's El Cimarrón for the composer's centenary, complemented by around twenty concerts and recitals.
78th edition: imprints, legacies
The 78th edition of the Festival International d'Art Lyrique d'Aix-en-Provence takes place from July 2 to 21, 2026, around the theme "Imprints, Legacies". The program combines repertoire masterpieces, a world premiere, and a large series of concerts, in the city's emblematic venues: the Théâtre de l'Archevêché, the Grand Théâtre de Provence, the Théâtre du Jeu de Paume and the Conservatoire Darius Milhaud.
The 2026 operas
Mozart's The Magic Flute opens the festival at the Théâtre de l'Archevêché, marking the work's return to the open-air courtyard, under the direction of Leonardo García-Alarcón and staged by Clément Cogitore, with Sabine Devieilhe. Also at the Théâtre de l'Archevêché, Mozart's Requiem is entrusted to Raphaël Pichon and director Romeo Castellucci.
At the Grand Théâtre de Provence, Richard Strauss's Die Frau ohne Schatten is conducted by Klaus Mäkelä in a staging by Barrie Kosky. At the Théâtre du Jeu de Paume, the festival presents the world premiere of Francesco Filidei's Accabadora (staged by Valentina Carrasco) and Hans Werner Henze's El Cimarrón, performed for the composer's centenary (staged by Elayce Ismaïl). Two operas are offered in concert version at the Grand Théâtre de Provence: Bartók's Bluebeard's Castle and Verdi's Les Vêpres siciliennes.
Concerts, recitals and transmission
Around twenty concerts and recitals complete the program, notably featuring Raphaël Pichon, Benjamin Bernheim, Michael Spyres, Sonya Yoncheva, Ailyn Pérez, Pierre-Laurent Aimard, the Klangforum Wien, the Ensemble Pygmalion and Samara Joy. The festival also continues its mission of transmission through the Académie du Festival d'Aix, which trains young lyrical artists, conductors, and directors each summer.
Programme Festival d'Aix 2026
Operas
- The Magic Flute (Mozart) — Théâtre de l'Archevêché, July 2 to 21. Musical direction Leonardo García-Alarcón, staging Clément Cogitore, with Sabine Devieilhe.
- Requiem (Mozart) — Théâtre de l'Archevêché, July 4 to 12. Musical direction Raphaël Pichon, staging Romeo Castellucci.
- Die Frau ohne Schatten (Richard Strauss) — Grand Théâtre de Provence, July 3 to 15. Musical direction Klaus Mäkelä, staging Barrie Kosky.
- Accabadora (Francesco Filidei) — Théâtre du Jeu de Paume, July 4 to 10. World premiere, staging Valentina Carrasco.
- El Cimarrón (Hans Werner Henze) — Théâtre du Jeu de Paume, July 17 to 20. Composer's centenary, staging Elayce Ismaïl.
- Bluebeard's Castle (Bartók) — Grand Théâtre de Provence, July 11. Concert version.
- Les Vêpres siciliennes (Verdi) — Grand Théâtre de Provence, July 16. Concert version.
Concerts and recitals (selection)
- Recitals and concerts by Raphaël Pichon, Benjamin Bernheim, Michael Spyres, Sonya Yoncheva, Ailyn Pérez, Stéphane Degout, Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Klangforum Wien, Ensemble Pygmalion and Samara Joy, from July 4 to 20, at the Grand Théâtre de Provence and the Conservatoire Darius Milhaud.
Highlights Festival d'Aix 2026
- Mozart's The Magic Flute at the Théâtre de l'Archevêché, by Leonardo García-Alarcón and Clément Cogitore, with Sabine Devieilhe
- Mozart's Requiem by Raphaël Pichon and Romeo Castellucci
- Strauss's Die Frau ohne Schatten by Klaus Mäkelä and Barrie Kosky
- World premiere of Accabadora by Francesco Filidei
- Henze's El Cimarrón for the composer's centenary
Prices Festival d'Aix 2026
Practical information — Festival d'Aix
Practical Information
Access
Performances take place in various venues in Aix-en-Provence, mainly:
- Théâtre de l'Archevêché, Place de l'Archevêché, 13100 Aix-en-Provence
- Grand Théâtre de Provence, 380 Avenue Max Juvénal, 13100 Aix-en-Provence
- By TGV: Aix-en-Provence TGV station (shuttles to the city center).
- By car: A8 exit Aix-en-Provence. Park-and-ride facilities with shuttles.
Prices
- From 15 euros to 250 euros depending on the shows and categories
- Reduced rates for young people and students
Contact
- Website: festival-aix.com
- Box office: +33 (0)4 34 08 02 17
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Where does it take place — Festival d'Aix
Théâtre de l'Archevêché
Place de l'Archevêché, 13100 Aix-en-Provence