La Dive Musique

La Dive Musique: Ancient Music in Rabelais Country

Since 2012, La Dive Musique has resonated with the sounds of ancient music in the villages and monuments of Rabelais country, in southern Touraine. This festival, whose name refers to Rabelais's famous "Dive Bouteille" (Divine Bottle), was founded by Stéphane Béchy with the ambition of creating enthusiasm for ancient and baroque music and allowing as many people as possible to discover and love it.

Seuilly, the festival's epicenter

The festival's epicenter is in Seuilly, a commune in the Chinonais region where François Rabelais was born around 1494. This choice is not insignificant: it places the festival within a humanist and festive tradition inherited from the great writer, while also highlighting a rural territory rich in architectural and natural heritage.

Exceptional Heritage Sites

Each edition of the festival takes over remarkable heritage sites in the Chinonais region, both public and private. The program unfolds in diverse locations such as the baroque chapel of Chavigny Castle in Lerné, the collegiate church of Candes-Saint-Martin, Romanesque churches, abbeys, and historic residences. This itinerant approach offers the public a dual discovery, musical and heritage-related, in intimate or grand settings.

A Repertoire from the Middle Ages to Classicism

La Dive Musique's musical program covers a broad chronological spectrum, from medieval music to early classical works, with a preference for the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Works by Vivaldi, Bach, Purcell, Handel, Monteverdi, and many lesser-known composers are performed by ensembles specializing in historically informed performance.

Voice and Dance in the Spotlight

The festival places a special emphasis on the voice, the quintessential instrument of ancient music. Recent editions have highlighted singing in all its forms, from madrigals to baroque opera arias, motets, and cantatas. Ancient dance has also made its debut in the program, offering a visual and corporeal complement to the musical experience.

A Friendly and Accessible Festival

True to the Rabelaisian spirit, La Dive Musique cultivates a friendly and festive atmosphere. The festival takes place over about a week in August, offering several concerts per day in various formats—grand concerts, recitals, and promenade concerts. Ticket prices are designed to remain accessible, allowing as many people as possible to discover ancient music in exceptional listening conditions.