Lisztomanias
International Franz Liszt Encounters in Châteauroux
About Lisztomanias
A unique festival dedicated to Franz Liszt
Created in 2002 in Châteauroux, Lisztomanias is the only international gathering entirely dedicated to Franz Liszt in France. This autumn festival, held annually in October, celebrates the legacy of a total artist over six intense days: virtuoso pianist, visionary composer, revolutionary conductor, legendary pedagogue, writer, and philanthropist. Since its inception, Lisztomanias has become, according to the magazine Diapason, "an unmissable event on the French musical scene".
Châteauroux, a welcoming land for romantic music
The festival takes place in several emblematic venues in Châteauroux and its metropolitan area. The Auditorium Franz Liszt at the Scène nationale Équinoxe is the heart of the festival, hosting major symphonic concerts and recitals. The city's chapels, churches, and heritage halls serve as intimate settings for chamber music, impromptu concerts, and lectures, offering a diversity of locations and atmospheres that enrich the spectator's experience.
A program between tradition and modernity
Each edition of Lisztomanias is organized around a unifying theme that renews the perspective on Liszt's work and influence. The program combines solo piano recitals, symphonic concerts, chamber music, café-concerts, musicological lectures, and literary concerts. The festival explores not only Liszt's work but also that of composers he influenced or who inspired him—from Chopin to Debussy, from Wagner to Bartók.
The Academy: transmitting the passion for piano
An essential part of Lisztomanias is dedicated to transmission. The Piano Academy welcomes talented young pianists who benefit from master classes given by internationally renowned artists. The concerts by young virtuosos from the Liszt Academy allow the public to discover future piano stars. Workshops for children and outreach programs for underserved audiences complete this educational and humanistic dimension, true to the philanthropic spirit of Liszt himself.
A European network around Liszt
Lisztomanias is part of a European cultural network through the European Liszt Network and Lisztomanias Internationales, which extend the festival's reach far beyond the borders of the Berry region. This network of partnerships with European musical institutions enables artist exchanges, co-productions, and the promotion of Lisztian heritage on a continental scale. The festival attracts approximately 5,000 spectators each year, confirming its status as a benchmark in the world of classical music.
Lisztomanias — edition 2026
25th anniversary edition of Lisztomanias in Châteauroux, from October 16 to 21, 2026, on the theme « Franz and George, the dream of love ». This jubilee edition celebrates the festival's quarter-century and the 150th anniversary of the death of George Sand, a great friend of Franz Liszt. Six days of concerts, recitals, conferences, literary concerts, and piano academies, notably featuring Lambert Wilson, Alexandre Kantorow, Bertrand Chamayou, and Anne Queffélec.
25th edition: « Franz and George, the dream of love »
In 2026, Lisztomanias celebrates its 25th edition, a significant anniversary for this unique festival in France dedicated to Franz Liszt. This jubilee edition coincides with the 150th anniversary of the death of George Sand, an intimate friend of Liszt, and explores, through the theme « Franz and George, the dream of love », the links between the composer and the Berrichonne writer.
True to its format, the festival offers from October 16 to 21, 2026, six days of concerts, recitals, conferences, literary concerts, café concerts, discovery concerts for young virtuosos, and interpretation and improvisation academies, in the various cultural and heritage venues of Châteauroux, with the Franz Liszt Auditorium of the Scène nationale Équinoxe as the main venue. The « Liszt Elsewhere » section extends the programming beyond Châteauroux.
Programme Lisztomanias 2026
Friday, October 16, 2026 — Opening
- 2:00 PM — Talk « Franz Liszt and George Sand, an ardent friendship » by Jean-Yves Clément (artistic director) and Nicolas Dufetel (historian) · Café Équinoxe · free admission
- 4:00 PM — Discovery Concert: Laure Cholé (works by Schubert/Liszt, Fauré, Schumann) · Chapelle des Rédemptoristes
- 8:30 PM — Literary Concert: Lambert Wilson and Béatrice Berrut, on the Liszt-Sand correspondence · Équinoxe
Saturday, October 17 to Tuesday, October 20, 2026 — Academies
- Interpretation Academies directed by Florian Noack, with young international pianists: Anaïs Cassiers (Belgium), Matheus Oshiro (Brazil/Japan), Hanna Schwalbe (Germany), Balázs-Piri Soma (Hungary) · free access during the festival
Sunday, October 18, 2026
- Alexandre Kantorow and the Consuelo Orchestra (conducted by Victor Julien-Laferrière) — « From Liszt to Rachmaninov » · Équinoxe
Monday, October 19, 2026
- Bertrand Chamayou — « From Franz Liszt to John Lennon! » · Équinoxe
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
- Ludmila Berlinskaïa and Arthur Ancelle (two pianos) — « She and He » · Équinoxe
Also on the program for this edition: recital by Anne Queffélec, literary concert « An evening with Clara Schumann », « Impromptu » concerts at the Franz Liszt Auditorium, conferences, and concert by young soloists. Detailed program and full schedule on the official website.
Highlights Lisztomanias 2026
- 25th anniversary edition of the festival
- Theme « Franz and George, the dream of love » — 150 years since the death of George Sand
- Opening literary concert with Lambert Wilson
- Alexandre Kantorow and the Consuelo Orchestra
- Recitals by Bertrand Chamayou and Anne Queffélec
- Interpretation academies with young international pianists
Prices Lisztomanias 2026
Practical information — Lisztomanias
Practical Information
Access
The festival primarily takes place at Équinoxe – Scène nationale, avenue Charles de Gaulle in Châteauroux (36000).
- By car: Châteauroux is accessible via the A20 (exit 14 or 15). Free parking near Équinoxe.
- By train: Châteauroux station, Paris-Austerlitz – Châteauroux line (approx. 2h15). Équinoxe is a 10-minute walk from the station.
Prices
- Main concerts: €25 (full price), €20 (reduced price)
- "Impromptu" concerts: €15
- Lectures: €10
- Literary concerts: €27 (full price), €22 (reduced price)
- Liszt Pass (full program): €170
- Free: under 15 years old, conservatory students under 25 years old
Booking
Online ticketing on festik.net for certain concerts and the Liszt Pass. On-site ticketing 20 minutes before each concert. Booking for major recitals via the Équinoxe ticket office at 02 54 08 34 34.
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Where does it take place — Lisztomanias
Équinoxe – Scène nationale de Châteauroux
Avenue Charles de Gaulle, 36000 Châteauroux