Francis Poulenc & Friends Festival
Classical and lyrical music on the ancestral lands of Francis Poulenc
About Poulenc & Friends
Francis Poulenc, the most French of composers, celebrated on his home ground
The Francis Poulenc & Friends festival was born in 2025 from the desire to celebrate the musical heritage of Francis Poulenc (1899-1963), "the most French composer of the early 20th century", on the ancestral lands of his family in Espalion, in the Aveyron department. Coming from a devout Catholic family from Espalion, Poulenc maintained a deep connection with this Aveyron region throughout his life, where the Boulevard Joseph Poulenc perpetuates the family memory.
Concerts in a remarkable heritage setting
The festival unfolds in three towns in northern Aveyron offering exceptional architectural heritage: Espalion (Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church), Estaing (Saint-Fleuret Church), and Saint-Côme-d'Olt (Malet Chapel). These religious buildings, with their remarkable acoustics, provide an ideal setting for chamber music and lyrical recitals, allowing for an intimate and immersive musical experience.
Poulenc and his friends: a dialogue between composers
The festival's name — "Francis Poulenc & Friends" — reflects the intention to create a dialogue between Poulenc's works and those of composers he admired or who influenced him: Mozart, Schubert, Ravel, Debussy, Fauré, Rossini, and Gluck. The festival particularly highlights Poulenc as a composer of melodies, setting to music the poems of Apollinaire, Max Jacob, Éluard, Ronsard, Louise de Vilmorin, and Maurice Carême.
Internationally renowned artists
From its very first edition, the festival has brought together leading artists from the French lyrical and piano scene: pianist Joseph Birnbaum, mezzo-sopranos Karine Deshayes and Delphine Haidan, and baritone Hervé Ribaud-Shinberg. These renowned performers guarantee an exceptional artistic level in an intimate and accessible setting.
Poulenc & Friends — edition 2026
2nd edition of the Francis Poulenc & Friends Festival, from August 9 to 16, 2026, in northern Aveyron. A week of classical and lyrical music concerts — piano-voice recitals, chamber music, and exceptional evenings — in the churches, abbeys, and heritage sites of Espalion, Estaing, Saint-Côme-d'Olt, Bozouls, Conques, and Le Nayrac, centered around the work of Francis Poulenc and his 'friends' composers.
2nd edition: Poulenc's music echoing in the stones of Aveyron
The Francis Poulenc & Friends Festival returns for its 2nd edition from August 9 to 16, 2026, in the churches, chapels, and abbeys of northern Aveyron. Building on the success of its inaugural edition, the festival continues its mission to make the music of Francis Poulenc and his 'friends' composers resonate within an exceptional heritage setting.
The 2026 edition expands its territory beyond Espalion, Estaing, and Saint-Côme-d'Olt to also include Bozouls, Conques, and Le Nayrac. The program offers piano-voice recitals, chamber music, and lyrical concerts, as well as a singing and piano masterclass. Pianist Joseph Birnbaum is at the heart of most concerts, surrounded by guest artists including sopranos Natalie Dessay and Isabelle Cals, mezzo-sopranos Karine Deshayes and Delphine Haidan, clarinetist Pierre Génisson, pianist Philippe Cassard, cellist Johannes Przygodda, and baritone Hervé Ribaud-Shinberg.
Programme Poulenc & Friends 2026
Sunday, August 9, 2026
- 8 PM — Espalion, Église Saint-Jean: Johannes Przygodda (cello) and Joseph Birnbaum (piano)
Monday, August 10, 2026
- 9:30 AM – 6:45 PM — Saint-Côme-d'Olt, Couvent de Malet: singing and piano masterclass with Isabelle Cals, Hervé Ribaud-Shinberg (singing) and Joseph Birnbaum (piano)
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
- 8 PM — Bozouls, Espace Cardabelle: recital by Joseph Birnbaum; Isabelle Cals (soprano) and Lidia Fittipaldi (piano)
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
- 8 PM — Conques, Espace Européen: Delphine Haidan (mezzo-soprano), Pierre Génisson (clarinet) and Joseph Birnbaum (piano)
Thursday, August 13, 2026
- 8 PM — Le Nayrac, Espace Multiculturel: piano recital by Joseph Birnbaum
Friday, August 14, 2026
- 8 PM — Saint-Côme-d'Olt, Couvent de Malet: Hervé Ribaud-Shinberg (baritone) and Joseph Birnbaum (piano)
Saturday, August 15, 2026
- 6 PM — Espalion, Église Saint-Jean: exceptional lyrical concert 'Two Mezzos, or Nothing' with Karine Deshayes and Delphine Haidan (mezzo-sopranos) and Joseph Birnbaum (piano), works by Francis Poulenc
Sunday, August 16, 2026
- 9:30 PM — Conques, Abbatiale Sainte-Foy: Natalie Dessay (soprano) and Philippe Cassard (piano)
Highlights Poulenc & Friends 2026
- Opening concert 'Two Mezzos, or Nothing' with Karine Deshayes and Delphine Haidan (August 15, Église Saint-Jean d'Espalion)
- Closing evening with Natalie Dessay and Philippe Cassard at the Abbatiale Sainte-Foy de Conques (August 16)
- An open singing and piano masterclass at the Couvent de Malet
- Seven heritage sites in northern Aveyron: Espalion, Estaing, Saint-Côme-d'Olt, Bozouls, Conques, and Le Nayrac
Prices Poulenc & Friends 2026
Practical information — Poulenc & Friends
Practical Information
Concert Venues
- Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church — Espalion
- Saint-Fleuret Church — Estaing
- Malet Chapel — Saint-Côme-d'Olt
- Rex Cinema — Espalion (opening conference)
Access
Espalion is located about 30 km northeast of Rodez, on the banks of the Lot river. Estaing and Saint-Côme-d'Olt are a few kilometers from Espalion.
- By car: From Rodez, take the D920 then the D988 (approx. 30 min). Free parking in each town.
- By train: Nearest SNCF station: Rodez (30 km), then transfer by car.
Prices
- Prices vary depending on the concert — Consult the online ticketing
Contact
- Website: www.festivalpoulencandfriends.com
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Where does it take place — Poulenc & Friends
Églises d'Espalion, Estaing et Saint-Côme-d'Olt
Boulevard Joseph Poulenc, 12500 Espalion