Rencontres de Chants Polyphoniques de Calvi
Polyphonic music in Calvi, Haute-Corse
2026
About Rencontres de Chants
Every September, the Rencontres de Chants Polyphoniques de Calvi brings together Corsican polyphonic ensembles and voices from across the globe. The festival originated in 1989 following a concert by A Filetta and Su Cuncordu e Tenore de Orosei in the Saint-Jean-Baptiste cathedral, and is organized by the U Svegliu Calvese association. The 38th edition will take place from September 15 to 19, 2026, in Calvi, Haute-Corse.
Rencontres de Chants — edition 2026
The 38th Rencontres de Chants Polyphoniques de Calvi will take place from September 15 to 19, 2026, preceded by a pre-opening evening on Monday, September 14. The 6:00 PM and 9:30 PM concerts will be held at the Calvi-Balagne performance hall, while the 11:00 AM gatherings will take place at Sainte-Marie-Majeure Church. Each evening, A Filetta will host the guest ensembles.
38th Rencontres de Chants Polyphoniques — 2026 Edition
From September 15 to 19, 2026, U Svegliu Calvese is organizing the 38th edition of the Rencontres de Chants Polyphoniques de Calvi. A pre-opening evening will be held on Monday, September 14. The festival continues to use the subtitle chosen in 1989: "À l'iniziu c'era a voce" (In the beginning, there was the voice).
Concert Venues
The 6:00 PM and 9:30 PM concerts will be held at the Calvi-Balagne performance hall on Avenue Christophe Colomb. The 11:00 AM gatherings will take place at Sainte-Marie-Majeure Church. Each evening, A Filetta will host the guest groups.
Before the festival
A Filetta will be in residence with a Korean group just before the Rencontres.
Program and Tickets
The guest ensembles have not yet been announced. Online tickets are available via the Rencontres website; tickets and passes are also sold at the Calvi-Balagne Tourist Office, at La Poudrière (the association's headquarters in the citadel), and at the venue.
Highlights Rencontres de Chants 2026
- 38th Rencontres de Chants Polyphoniques, September 15–19, 2026
- Pre-opening evening on Monday, September 14
- A Filetta hosts guest groups every evening
- Concerts at the Calvi-Balagne performance hall and 11:00 AM gatherings at Sainte-Marie-Majeure Church
Programme Rencontres de Chants 2026
What's in store for 2026
As of August 16, 2026, U Svegliu Calvese has not yet released the concert schedule: the "Program" page on the official website is blank, and the Corsican Tourism Board lists the program as "in progress." Here is what has been confirmed so far.
- Monday, September 14 — Pre-opening evening
- Tuesday, September 15 to Saturday, September 19 — Five days of concerts, with A Filetta hosting guest groups each evening
The three daily highlights
- 11:00 AM — Morning gathering · Sainte-Marie-Majeure Church
- 6:00 PM — Concert · Calvi-Balagne performance hall, Avenue Christophe Colomb
- 9:30 PM — Concert · Calvi-Balagne performance hall
Before the Rencontres
A Filetta will be in residence with a Korean group just before the festival begins.
The names of the guest ensembles and the detailed daily schedule will be posted on the Rencontres website soon.
Prices Rencontres de Chants 2026
6:00 PM concerts: €15
11:00 AM gatherings: €5 to €10 depending on the date
Student rate for 9:30 PM concerts: €20
Pass for 6:00 PM and 9:30 PM concerts: €135
Pass for 11:00 AM gatherings + 6:00 PM and 9:30 PM concerts: €150
Online tickets at rencontrespolyphoniques.com, at the Calvi-Balagne Tourist Office, at La Poudrière, and on-site.
A ticket for an evening concert entitles you to a discounted rate for the 6:00 PM concert, subject to availability.
Reservations by email or phone: any reservation not picked up by 4:00 PM on the day of the concert will be cancelled.
Practical information — Rencontres de Chants
Venues
The 6:00 pm and 9:30 pm concerts are held at the Calvi-Balagne performance hall, located at avenue Christophe Colomb, 20260 Calvi. The 11:00 am events take place at the Sainte-Marie-Majeure church.
Tickets
Prices range from €10 to €25 depending on the concert, with a €20 rate for students for the 9:30 pm shows. Two subscription options are available: €135 for all 6:00 pm and 9:30 pm concerts, or €150 including the 11:00 am events.
Box Office
Tickets can be purchased online at rencontrespolyphoniques.com, at the Calvi-Balagne tourist office (04 95 65 16 67), at La Poudrière, or at the venue. Any reservations not collected by 4:00 pm on the day of the concert will be cancelled.
Contact
U Svegliu Calvese, La Poudrière, citadelle, 20260 Calvi. Phone: 04 95 65 23 57. Email: [email protected].
Rencontres de Chants Polyphoniques de Calvi
In September 1989, at the request of A Filetta, the U Svegliu Calvese association organized a concert in the Saint-Jean-Baptiste cathedral, located within the Calvi citadel. Having just returned from a trip to Sardinia, A Filetta wished to return the hospitality to the singers of Su Cuncordu e Tenore de Orosei. The festival was born from that very evening.
Corsican and global polyphonies
Since then, A Filetta has hosted groups invited by U Svegliu Calvese. The festival has welcomed ensembles from Bulgaria, Georgia, and Tibet, as well as Native American, Inuit, African, Indonesian, New Caledonian, Reunionese, Syrian, and Moroccan performers. The subtitle chosen in 1989 paraphrases the Gospel of John: "À l'iniziu c'era a voce"—in the beginning was the voice.
Festival schedule
The festival spans five days, from Tuesday to Saturday, preceded by a pre-opening evening. Each day features three events: one at 11:00 am, followed by two concerts at 6:00 pm and 9:30 pm. Every evening, A Filetta joins the guest ensembles on stage.
Organizer
U Svegliu Calvese is based at La Poudrière, in the Calvi citadel. Phone: 04 95 65 23 57. Email: [email protected].
Where does it take place — Rencontres de Chants
Rencontres de Chants in brief
History of Rencontres de Chants
Edition 2025 Jul 2025Other festivals near Calvi
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