Les Estivales de Brou

Les Estivales de Brou: lyric arts in an exceptional Gothic setting

Since 1989, Les Estivales de Brou have offered audiences lyric arts in all their forms within the sumptuous setting of the Royal Monastery of Brou, a masterpiece of Brabantine Flamboyant Gothic built in the early 16th century by Margaret of Austria. This summer festival has become a landmark cultural event in Bourg-en-Bresse and the Ain department.

A story born from a Franco-Swiss partnership

Les Estivales de Brou were born in 1989 from a Franco-Swiss partnership aimed at encouraging young lyric singers. The first edition took place within the Church of Brou with a production of Dialogues des Carmélites by Francis Poulenc. In the early years, the association produced one major lyric work annually: Die Entführung aus dem Serail by Mozart in 1991, Don Carlos by Verdi in 1993.

In 1996 a full-fledged festival emerged with three distinct productions, and in 2000 the multi-program format was permanently established under the name Estivales de Brou. Since then, four to five programs each year showcase every facet of lyric arts.

A rich and varied program

Each edition presents a comprehensive panorama of lyric and vocal music:

• Opera and opéra-comique: major works from Mozart to Rossini, Verdi to Puccini, performed by talented young artists with the Choeur Départemental de l’Ain and the Ensemble Instrumental des Estivales de Brou.
• Sacred music: requiems, masses and sacred works that find special resonance beneath the majestic vaults of the Church of Brou.
• Lyric recitals: opera arias, art songs and Neapolitan songs in the intimate second cloister.
• Humorous creations: shows blending music and humor, offering an offbeat approach to classical music.

A springboard for young artists

True to their founding mission, Les Estivales de Brou place young professional artists at the heart of their programming, serving as a springboard for singers, pianists and instrumentalists at the start of their careers.

The Choeur Départemental de l’Ain

Created in 1995, this departmental vocal workshop brings together amateur choristers who work year-round with professional artists. The choir is a pillar of the festival and actively participates in opera and sacred music productions.

A unique architectural setting

Performances take place in the various spaces of the Royal Monastery of Brou, a classified historic monument managed by the Centre des Monuments Nationaux:

• The Church of Brou: exceptional acoustics for operas and sacred music beneath sculpted vaults with over 70 finely carved choir stalls.
• The second cloister: an intimate open-air setting for recitals and chamber music on summer evenings.
• The Théâtre de Bourg-en-Bresse: some performances are also held at the municipal theater.