Opéra Bastide
International opera festival in the royal bastide of Villefranche-de-Rouergue
About Opéra Bastide
Opera comes to a Royal Bastide
Created in 2024, the Opéra Bastide festival was born from the collaboration between the association Les Arts en Bastide Royale and Lyric Arts France, with the support of the Ville de Villefranche-de-Rouergue and the Département de l'Aveyron. The founding idea: to use the exceptional heritage sites of this royal bastide founded in 1252 by Alphonse de Poitiers — the municipal theatre, the Chapelle des Pénitents Noirs, the Église des Augustins, the Collégiale Notre-Dame — to resonate with the art of opera in all its diversity.
International-scale Opera Productions
Each edition features two to three major opera productions showcasing major works from the repertoire with international artists. In 2024, Mozart's The Magic Flute was presented in a trilingual version (French, German, Occitan) at the Théâtre municipal. In 2025, Bizet's Carmen and The Fantasticks were performed at the Théâtre des Bastides. For 2026, Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro and Gluck's Orpheus and Eurydice are scheduled.
Concerts, Masterclasses, and Free Events
Beyond the major productions, Opéra Bastide offers a rich program:
- Concerts in the Bastide: opening galas, baroque recitals in chapels, promenade concerts between historic buildings, and cabaret evenings.
- International Masterclasses: renowned singing masters guide young artists in intensive courses, open to the public for working sessions.
- Free Events: open windows at the Thursday markets, pop-up opera during Sunday evening gourmet markets, and choral singing workshops open to all.
- Défi Lyrique: a singing competition for young artists.
Villefranche-de-Rouergue, a Heritage Setting
Villefranche-de-Rouergue, a royal bastide founded in the 13th century on the banks of the Aveyron, boasts remarkable architectural heritage: the Collégiale Notre-Dame with its monumental bell tower-porch, the Chartreuse Saint-Sauveur, the Chapelle des Pénitents Noirs with its exceptional baroque decor, and the arcaded Place Notre-Dame with its half-timbered houses. This preserved medieval setting offers unique acoustics and atmosphere for opera performances.
Opéra Bastide — edition 2026
Third edition of the Opéra Bastide festival, from July 13 to 26, 2026 in Villefranche-de-Rouergue (Aveyron). Two major lyrical productions in the heart of the royal bastide: Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro at the Théâtre des Bastides and Gluck's Orpheus and Eurydice (Berlioz version) at the Église Saint-Augustin. The program is completed by an opening gala at the Chapelle des Pénitents Noirs, concerts (World Troubadours, Paris-Berlin cabaret), recitals, master classes and numerous free events in the city.
3rd edition — July 13 to 26, 2026
The third edition of Opéra Bastide once again transforms Villefranche-de-Rouergue into an open-air lyrical stage, between its Italian-style theatre, its chapels, its church and its streets. Two major operas structure the 2026 program:
- Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro — Théâtre des Bastides, 5 performances (July 17, 18, 23, 25 and 26), directed by Korogodsky, with international singers and a professional orchestra.
- Gluck's Orpheus and Eurydice (Berlioz version) — Église Saint-Augustin, 4 performances (July 19, 22, 24 and 25), conducted by Jérémy Costes, with a choir trained over three weeks.
Around these two works, the festival offers an opening gala, concerts, a cabaret, recitals by young singers, as well as an educational and free program (master classes, workshops, open-air recitals) open to all.
Programme Opéra Bastide 2026
Pre-festival — free events (June–July)
- LE FIG (opera initiation for children) — Saturdays, June 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2 PM-5 PM · free, registration required (Villefranche residents)
- Lyrical Challenge (audition for young singers) — Tuesday, June 23, 2:30 PM · Local Cayla · free
- Master Class (singing lessons open to the public) — Wednesdays, June 24, July 1, 8 and 15, 2:30 PM · Local Cayla · free
- Opera for Seniors — June 26 and 29, July 3 · free (residences)
- Open Windows (open-air mini-recitals) — Thursdays, June 25, July 2, 9, 16 and 23, 10 AM · Maison Dardenne, Place Notre-Dame · free
- Choral Singing Workshop — July 6 to 25 · Chartreuse Saint-Sauveur · 300 € (150 € reduced rate), conducted by Jérémy Costes / David Štech
Friday, July 4
- 8:00 PM — Opéra Bastide celebrates AJAR's 40th anniversary (songs from the 1920s-1930s, swing and brass band) · Place Notre-Dame · free
Sunday, July 5
- 4:00 PM — Festival Royal Quine · La Halle couverte · from 3 €
Thursday, July 9
- 6:30 PM — Opéra Bastide Documentary · Cinéma Vox · free
Friday, July 10 and Saturday, July 11
- 2:00 PM-3:30 PM — Tour: 130 years of the Théâtre des Bastides · free
Monday, July 13
- 7:30 PM — Opening Gala: anthology of famous lyrical repertoire arias (1h15 + reception) · Chapelle des Pénitents Noirs · 50 €
Wednesday, July 15
- 7:30 PM — World Troubadours (Occitan concert, creation, with the Institut d'Études Occitanes) · Chapelle des Pénitents Noirs · 24 € (12 €)
Thursday, July 16 and Tuesday, July 21
- 9:30 PM — Paris-Berlin Cabaret (directed by François Testory; between Brecht and Weill's Berlin and Piaf and Cocteau's Paris) · La Halle couverte · 28 € (14 €)
The Marriage of Figaro (Mozart) — Théâtre des Bastides
- July 17, 18, 23 and 25 at 8:30 PM; July 26 at 3:30 PM (2h45 with intermission) · directed by Korogodsky · 36 €/20 € (orchestra), 28 €/15 € (balcony)
Orpheus and Eurydice (Gluck, Berlioz version) — Église Saint-Augustin
- July 19, 24 and 25 at 3:30 PM; July 22 at 8:30 PM (1h35 without intermission) · conducted by Jérémy Costes · 32 € (16 €)
Thursday, July 23
- 5:30 PM — The Voices of the Future (recital by young singers) · Chapelle Saint-Jacques · 12 € (6 €)
Nocturnes: Opéra Bœuf
- 11:00 PM on July 17, 18, 24 and 25 — improvised jam · bastide town center brasserie · free (excluding drinks)
Sunday, July 26
- 7:30 PM — L'Auberge Bohème: closing, shared meal · Rue de la République · free
Highlights Opéra Bastide 2026
- Two major operas: The Marriage of Figaro (Mozart) and Orpheus and Eurydice (Gluck/Berlioz)
- Opening Gala at the Chapelle des Pénitents Noirs (July 13)
- Occitan concert World Troubadours and Paris-Berlin cabaret
- Numerous free events in the bastide (recitals, open windows, festive closing)
- Educational program: master classes, choral singing workshop, children's initiation
Prices Opéra Bastide 2026
Practical information — Opéra Bastide
Practical Information
Venues
- Théâtre des Bastides: Main opera productions.
- Église des Augustins: Operas and concerts.
- Chapelle des Pénitents Noirs: Baroque concerts.
- Place Notre-Dame / Maison Dardenne: Free events.
Access
- By car: A75 then D911 or D922. Free parking in the town center.
- By train: Villefranche-de-Rouergue station (Toulouse-Rodez line).
Prices (2026 edition)
- Opera productions: From 15 to 35 euros depending on seating.
- Concerts in the bastide: From 12 to 25 euros.
- Opening Gala: 50 euros.
- Cabaret and free events: Free admission.
Contact
- Phone: 07 88 71 27 00
- E-mail: [email protected]
- Website: operabastide.com
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Where does it take place — Opéra Bastide
Théâtre des Bastides / Église des Augustins
Maison Dardenne, 1 Arcades du Consulat, 12200 Villefranche-de-Rouergue, 12200 Villefranche-de-Rouergue