Les Soirées Baroques de Monflanquin

A Baroque Gathering in the Heart of a Medieval Bastide

Since 2002, the Soirées Baroques de Monflanquin have enlivened the royal bastide of Monflanquin, listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of France, every summer. The festival was born from the desire of choral singing enthusiasts, driven by their encounter with the baroque orchestra Les Passions de Montauban, to bring the baroque vocal repertoire to life in an exceptional heritage setting.

A Double Event: Vocal Workshop and Festival

The originality of the Soirées Baroques lies in the combination of a baroque choral singing workshop with prior registration and a festival open to all. For two weeks in July, participants work daily on the baroque repertoire in workshops led by professors and choirmasters, before performing in closing concerts alongside professional soloists and the Les Passions orchestra.

Artistic and Musical Direction

The festival is under the musical direction of Jacques Charpentier, accompanied by choirmaster Pierre Goumarre. Soloists and professors, including Sophie Pattey and Jean-Laurent Coëzy, lead the vocal training for the workshop and perform in the festival concerts.

A Rich and Varied Program

Each edition explores a different theme within the vast baroque repertoire:

• 2023: "Baroque South American Music of the New World" with Ensemble Alkymia
• 2024: "The Bach Family" with C.P.E. Bach's Magnificat and J.S. Bach's Short Mass, the Barocco Tango Trio
• 2025: "Handel the European" with Ensemble Hexaton, Duo Gambelin, and a final concert mixing Handel and Vivaldi
• 2026: "25 Years of Baroque Passions", anniversary edition with baroque trumpets and timpani

Events for All Audiences

Beyond the concerts, the festival offers open-air cinema screenings on the Place des Arcades (Farinelli by Gérard Corbiau, Il Boemo...), illustrated sound conferences to discover the life and work of baroque composers, and intimate recitals in charming locations.

Exceptional Heritage Sites

Concerts and events take place in remarkable sites:

• Salle des Consuls, rue des Arcades in Monflanquin, a historic hall in the heart of the bastide
• Saint-André Church of Monflanquin, an acoustic gem for major choral concerts
• Château de Roquefère, a bucolic setting for open-air recitals
• Notre-Dame Church of Villeréal, a nearby fortified church hosting a festival concert
• Place des Arcades, the heart of the bastide for open-air cinema screenings

An Associative and Human Commitment

Organized by the association Les Soirées Baroques de Monflanquin, chaired by Élisabeth Pradeilles, the festival relies on the commitment of passionate volunteers and the warm welcome of the bastide's inhabitants. Participants are hosted by local families or in communal housing, strengthening the link between the festival and local life. The 2026 edition celebrates the 25th anniversary of this artistic and human adventure.