Jean de La Fontaine Festival

34th Jean de La Fontaine Festival – Les Printanières 2025

The 34th edition of the Jean de La Fontaine Festival offered seven performances and events from May 23 to June 14, 2025, taking place in the emblematic locations of Château-Thierry and its surroundings.

The opening took place at the American Memorial Church with the concert "Au mouton blanc" by the Ensemble The Kraken Consort, led by soprano Chantal Santon Jeffery, accompanied by Bruno Helstroffer on theorbo and lute. The Ensemble Faenza presented "Ovidomania" with works by Charpentier, Couperin, Marais, and Moulinié, followed by "Enfin ces beaux yeux" by the Ensemble Près de votre oreille.

The Palais des Rencontres hosted "Le Malade Imaginaire" by Molière. The Ensemble Alia Mens, in residence, gave two concerts: "Tempus Fugit", an a cappella vocal program mixing Arvo Pärt and a creation by Jacques Derégnaucourt, and "Sur les ailes du temps", the Officium Defunctorum by Tomás Luis de Victoria.

The 10th Psyche Encounters explored the theme "La Fontaine, God and the gods" at the Hôtel-Dieu Chapel.

Full Program 2025

• Friday, May 23 – 8:30 PM: "Au mouton blanc" – Ensemble The Kraken Consort (dir. Chantal Santon Jeffery), Chantal Santon Jeffery (soprano), Bruno Helstroffer (theorbo and lute) – American Memorial Church, Château-Thierry – Price B
• Friday, May 30 – 8:30 PM: "Ovidomania" – Ensemble Faenza – Works by Charpentier, Couperin, Marais, Moulinié – Espace Raymond Commun, Brasles – Price C
• Saturday, May 31 – 5:00 PM: "Enfin ces beaux yeux" – Ensemble Près de votre oreille – 17th-century opera arias – Espace Raymond Commun, Brasles – Price B
• Thursday, June 5 – 9:00 PM: "Le Malade Imaginaire" – Molière – Palais des Rencontres, Château-Thierry – €15 (reduced €8)
• Friday, June 13 – 8:00 PM: "Tempus Fugit" – Ensemble Alia Mens (dir. Olivier Spilmont) – Arvo Pärt and creation by Jacques Derégnaucourt – Abbey Church, Essômes-sur-Marne – Price B
• Saturday, June 14 – 2:30 PM: 10th Psyche Encounters – "La Fontaine, God and the gods" – Society of Friends of Jean de La Fontaine – Hôtel-Dieu Chapel, Château-Thierry – Free admission
• Saturday, June 14 – 8:00 PM: "Sur les ailes du temps" – Ensemble Alia Mens – Officium Defunctorum by Tomás Luis de Victoria (1605) – Saint-Crépin Church, Château-Thierry – Price A

• 34th edition of the festival – Les Printanières
• Opening with Chantal Santon Jeffery and Ensemble The Kraken Consort at the American Memorial Church
• Ensemble Alia Mens in residence: Arvo Pärt and Victoria
• Molière's "Le Malade Imaginaire" at the Palais des Rencontres
• 10th Psyche Encounters: "La Fontaine, God and the gods"
• Ensemble Faenza: "Ovidomania" – French baroque music
• Seven events in five heritage locations