Festival L'Exception Lyrique du Grand Villeneuvois

L'Exception Lyrique: Democratizing Lyric Art in Lot-et-Garonne

The Festival L'Exception Lyrique du Grand Villeneuvois was born in 2022 from the desire of Chantal Perraud, a soprano from Sainte-Livrade-sur-Lot, to make lyric art accessible to the greatest number. Supported by the association L'Exception Lyrique and the Communauté d'Agglomération du Grand Villeneuvois, this summer event caters to both seasoned music lovers and novice audiences by removing financial barriers to culture through a deliberately moderate pricing policy.

A Touring Festival in the Grand Villeneuvois Region

One of the festival's unique features is its touring nature. Concerts take place in several towns in the Grand Villeneuvois, utilizing human-scale performance venues that foster a natural and relaxed exchange between artists and festival-goers:

• Villeneuve-sur-Lot — Théâtre Georges-Leygues, 2 boulevard de la République
• Casseneuil — Salle Yves Duclos
• Sainte-Livrade-sur-Lot — Place Castelvielh
• Fongrave — Place de l'hôtel de ville
• Laroque-Timbaut — Salle des fêtes

This touring approach brings lyric art closer to the residents, including those in areas far from major cultural venues.

Internationally Renowned Artists

Since its inception, the festival has hosted leading artists from the French and international lyric scene:

• Karine Deshayes, mezzo-soprano, a major figure in French opera
• Béatrice Uria-Monzon, a world-renowned mezzo-soprano from Agen
• Nicolas Courjal, bass-baritone
• Nicolas Cavallier, bass-baritone
• Juliette Mey, mezzo-soprano, Lyric Artist Revelation at the Victoires de la Musique Classique 2024
• Paul Gay, baritone
• Pierre Génisson, clarinetist
• Jean-François Heisser, conductor and pianist
• Jérôme Correas, harpsichordist and musical director

An Eclectic and Generous Program

Each edition offers a diverse program exploring the many facets of classical and lyric music. Themed evenings are the festival's identity, with programs ranging from baroque to grand opera arias, including musical theatre, bel canto, and chamber music. The Orchestre de Chambre Nouvelle-Aquitaine notably participated in the closing concert of the 2024 edition, highlighting the event's high artistic level.

Educational and Social Commitment

Beyond the concerts, the festival conducts cultural outreach activities for audiences with limited access to culture. In some editions, 200 children from priority neighborhoods in the Grand Villeneuvois were invited to discover opera in class and then at a major concert, a project coordinated with educational teams and local authorities. Masterclasses are also offered, notably with baritone François Le Roux.