Festival Pizzicato

A festival born from the meeting of two artists

The Pizzicato Festival was born in 2023 from the artistic encounter between Alexandra Luiceanu, a classically trained harpist and artistic director of the festival, and Simon Charbonnel, a virtuoso guitarist. Both share the conviction that plucked string instruments — harp, guitar, lute, theorbo, cittern — deserve a festival tailored to them, a space where the beauty of timbre and the subtlety of touch can flourish in an intimate and welcoming setting.

The Auditorium of the Conservatoire: an acoustic gem

The festival unfolds at the Auditorium du Conservatoire de la Baie de Somme, located in the heart of Abbeville. This hall with its carefully designed acoustics, built for chamber music, offers a rare proximity between artists and the public. Each concert becomes an immersive sensory experience where every nuance, every vibration of the strings can be perceived.

A program between tradition and exploration

Pizzicato rejects boundaries between genres. The program blends classical music, baroque music, contemporary music, and world music in original formations — duos, trios, chamber ensembles — that renew listening experiences and surprise the audience. Each edition invites leading artists to engage in dialogue around plucked strings, creating unprecedented musical encounters.

The 2026 edition notably features Farangi, an exceptional duo bringing together double bassist Renaud Garcia-Fons and lutenist Claire Antonini on a journey between East and West; La Locura, a concert-show tracing the evolution of the guitar; and La Réconciliation, a concert-reading around Hubert Le Blanc's famous *Défense de la basse de viole contre les entreprises du violon* (1740).

A festival for all audiences

True to its open spirit, Pizzicato is for everyone: discerning music lovers, families, children, and even toddlers. The festival offers masterclasses open to Conservatory students and discovery workshops for instruments, creating a bridge between musical training and artistic creation. The warm and welcoming atmosphere makes each edition a special moment of sharing.