Festival Présence de l'Orgue Clicquot

A jewel of French organ building

The Souvigny organ is the work of François-Henri Clicquot, organ builder to King Louis XVI. Built in his Parisian workshops in 1782, it was installed and put into service in the priory church in 1783, as attested by two original inscriptions discovered in 1963 in the trackers of the pedalboard and positive. With its 28 stops spread over 3 manual keyboards and a French-style pedalboard, this instrument is considered one of the masterpieces of French classical organ building. It is one of the only two surviving examples of this brilliant builder's work in an almost original condition. The instrumental part was classified as a Historic Monument on December 22, 1947, and the case on May 23, 1975.

The Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul priory church

The Clicquot organ thrives in an exceptional architectural setting: the Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul priory church, the largest religious building in the Allier department. Attached to the powerful Abbey of Cluny, this priory church is one of the few churches with a double transept in France. Its remarkable acoustics offer organ recitals ideal resonance, allowing full appreciation of the instrument's harmonic richness and sound balance.

A festival driven by volunteer passion

The Festival Présence de l'Orgue Clicquot is organized by the association Les Amis de l'Orgue Clicquot de Souvigny (AOCS), created in 2018, in partnership with Art Culture et Foi. The association is dedicated to implementing protective measures and promoting the Clicquot organ. The festival is part of this mission by offering a series of recitals each summer that allow the public to discover the exceptional sounds of this three-hundred-year-old instrument.

Recitals between tradition and modernity

The festival's program highlights the organ alone or in duo with other instruments: sackbut, baroque violin, cornetto, flute, clarinet, percussion, or even theremin. Renowned national and international organists take turns at the instrument's console, offering a repertoire ranging from French baroque music to contemporary creations. Each concert is an invitation to discover the multiple facets of this organ, a true model of balance and elegance illustrating the classical spirit of 18th-century organ building.

Free admission for all

True to its mission of sharing and transmission, the festival offers free admission with voluntary contributions. No reservations are necessary. Concerts are generally held on Sundays in May for the opening concert, then on Saturdays and Sundays in August in the evenings. Each recital is an opportunity to experience a unique musical moment in the majestic setting of the Souvigny priory church.