Les Étoiles du Classique
The festival that showcases young classical music talents in Saint-Germain-en-Laye
About Étoiles du Classique
Les Étoiles du Classique: The Launchpad for Young Virtuosos
Les Étoiles du Classique is a classical music festival created in 2022 by violinist Thomas Lefort, with the ambition of making Saint-Germain-en-Laye a major hub for musical discovery. Designed as a true launchpad for artists at the beginning of their careers, the festival brings together over 200 young musicians each June from the Conservatoire national supérieur de musique et de danse de Paris (CNSMDP) and the most prestigious European musical institutions.
A Legacy of Excellence and Transmission
The festival follows the spiritual lineage of the great violinist Ivry Gitlis, a guiding figure in musical transmission. Each edition is sponsored by a world-renowned artist: Martha Argerich for the inaugural edition in 2022, Jean-Claude Casadesus in 2023, Laurent Music and Patricia Petibon in 2025, and again Jean-Claude Casadesus for the 5th edition in 2026. The festival's president is Patrick Petit, who has supported this venture since its inception.
Iconic Venues in Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Concerts take place in several prestigious venues in the royal city: the Théâtre Alexandre-Dumas, a historic performance hall in the heart of the city, and the Église de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, whose exceptional acoustics enhance the performances of young soloists and ensembles. Some concerts are also held outdoors, in the city's gardens and squares.
A Rich and Accessible Program
In just a few editions, the festival has established itself as a must-attend event in the Île-de-France classical scene. The program covers a wide spectrum: symphonic music, chamber music, piano and violin recitals, opera, baroque music, concerts for young audiences, and jazz. Each edition features about ten concerts over four to six days, attracting a diverse audience of connoisseurs and newcomers, families and music lovers, in a warm and festive atmosphere.
Growing Influence
Supported by the City of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, the Indosuez Foundation, the Île-de-France Region, and numerous private patrons, the festival has welcomed over 4,000 spectators in its recent editions. It benefits from increasing media coverage, with partnerships with France 3 Île-de-France and France Musique, consolidating its position among the most promising classical festivals in the Paris region.
Étoiles du Classique — edition 2026
The 5th edition of Les Étoiles du Classique takes place from June 19 to 28, 2026 in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, under the patronage of conductor Jean-Claude Casadesus and mezzo-soprano Karine Deshayes. More than 200 young talents perform in about ten concerts — chamber music, symphonic, opera, jazz, baroque, and young audience sessions — at the Théâtre Alexandre-Dumas and the church of Saint-Germain-en-Laye.
5th Edition — June 19 to 28, 2026
The Les Étoiles du Classique festival returns from June 19 to 28, 2026 for its 5th edition, placed under the patronage of conductor Jean-Claude Casadesus and mezzo-soprano Karine Deshayes. More than 200 exceptional young artists, from the greatest conservatories, perform in about ten concerts spread over ten days.
The program embraces a wide repertoire: Venetian baroque, Mozart symphonies, great piano sonatas, a Schumann evening narrated by Franck Ferrand, jazz in homage to the centenary of Miles Davis, fusion of world music with «La Grande Soirée des Continents», a musical tale for young audiences around Shéhérazade, and a closing symphonic gala conducted by Jean-Claude Casadesus.
True to its mission as a springboard for artists at the beginning of their careers, the festival perpetuates the spirit of transmission and sharing dear to Ivry Gitlis. Concerts mainly take place at the Théâtre Alexandre-Dumas and the church of Saint-Germain-en-Laye.
Programme Étoiles du Classique 2026
Friday, June 19, 2026
- 8:30 PM — Voix du Chœur · Église de Saint-Germain-en-Laye — Journey into the heart of Venetian baroque (Vivaldi, Monteverdi, Lotti, Porpora). Conducted by Edwige Parat, with Marion Vergez-Pascal (mezzo-soprano) and the Maîtrise de Paris (40 young singers).
Saturday, June 20, 2026
- 8:00 PM — Mozart Symphonique · Théâtre Alexandre-Dumas — Concertone, Concerto for flute and harp, Symphony No. 29 and Concerto «Jeunehomme». Conducted by Julien Leroy, with Camille Berthollet and Thomas Lefort (violins), Martin James Bartlett (piano).
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
- 8:00 PM — La Grande Soirée des Étoiles · Théâtre Alexandre-Dumas — More than 10 young virtuosos (Manon Galy, Marion Frère, Melvil Chapoutot, Léo Ispir…), from Bach to Tchaikovsky. Presented by Clément Rochefort (France Musique).
Thursday, June 25, 2026
- 4:00 PM — Masterclass: Chopin and Romantic Piano · Théâtre Alexandre-Dumas — With Yves Henry, scores projected on a large screen.
- 8:00 PM — The Great Piano Sonatas · Théâtre Alexandre-Dumas — From Schubert to Beethoven's «Appassionata» (Scriabine, Liszt, Khatchatourian). With William Winterstin and Stella Almondo (pianos), sponsored by Yves Henry.
Friday, June 26, 2026
- 8:00 PM — Schumann Evening · Théâtre Alexandre-Dumas — Robert and Clara Schumann, Brahms, Mendelssohn. Historical narrative by Franck Ferrand, with Raphaël Sévère (clarinet), Manon Galy and Emmanuel Coppey (violins), Nathanaël Gouin (piano).
Saturday, June 27, 2026
- 5:00 PM — Jazz Time · Théâtre Alexandre-Dumas — From Gershwin to Miles Davis (centenary 1926-2026). With Paul Lay (piano), Géraldine Laurent (saxophone), Cléobule Perrot (trumpet), Clemens van der Feen (double bass), Donald Kontomanou (drums).
- 8:00 PM — La Grande Soirée des Continents · Théâtre Alexandre-Dumas — «From the Silk Roads to the Breezes of the Orient». With Wu Man (pipa), Anousha Nazari (mezzo-soprano), Basel Rajoub (saxophone), Feras Charestan (qanûn), Yurdal Tokcan (oud), the Khalifé brothers.
Sunday, June 28, 2026
- 3:00 PM — Once Upon a Time… Shéhérazade (young audience) · Théâtre Alexandre-Dumas — Musical tale narrated by Julie Depardieu, romantic and modern repertoire. Free for children under 12.
- 6:30 PM — Symphonic Gala (closing) · Théâtre Alexandre-Dumas — Orchestre Symphonique des Étoiles conducted by Jean-Claude Casadesus. Beethoven (Coriolan), Bruch's Violin Concerto, Dvořák, Offenbach, Massenet, Overture to «Die Fledermaus». With Thomas Lefort (violin), Luka Coetzee (cello), Dominic Chamot (piano), Amandine Sanchez (soprano), Kévin Amiel (tenor).
Highlights Étoiles du Classique 2026
- 5th edition under the patronage of Jean-Claude Casadesus and Karine Deshayes
- More than 200 exceptional young artists over 10 days
- About ten concerts: baroque, symphonic, piano, Schumann, jazz, world music, opera
- Closing symphonic gala conducted by Jean-Claude Casadesus on June 28
- Musical tale for young audiences «Shéhérazade» narrated by Julie Depardieu (free for under 12s)
Prices Étoiles du Classique 2026
Practical information — Étoiles du Classique
Practical Information
Access
By RER: Line A, Saint-Germain-en-Laye station (terminus). The Théâtre Alexandre-Dumas is a 5-minute walk from the station.
By Car: A13 motorway, Saint-Germain-en-Laye exit. Public parking near the city center (Château, Marché Neuf).
By Bus: RATP lines and Île-de-France Mobilités bus network serving the station and the city center.
Concert Venues
- Théâtre Alexandre-Dumas: Place André Malraux, 78100 Saint-Germain-en-Laye
- Église de Saint-Germain-en-Laye: Place Charles de Gaulle, 78100 Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Ticketing
Online booking on the festival's official website and at the venue on the evening of the concerts. Some concerts are free, especially outdoor concerts and those for young audiences.
Contact
Email: [email protected]
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Where does it take place — Étoiles du Classique
Théâtre Alexandre-Dumas
Place André Malraux, 78100 Saint-Germain-en-Laye