Rencontres Musicales Regards

Festival Regards: When the Middle Ages Meet Contemporary Creation

Created by the De Caelis vocal ensemble and the City of Domfront-en-Poiraie, the Rencontres Musicales Regards festival is a unique musical event in Normandy. Under the artistic direction of Laurence Brisset, founder of the De Caelis ensemble in 1998, this festival creates a dialogue between medieval music and musical traditions from around the world, as well as contemporary creation.

The De Caelis Ensemble, the Heart of the Festival

The De Caelis ensemble is a female a cappella vocal ensemble specializing in the interpretation of medieval repertoire. Composed of five to seven soloists, occasionally accompanied by period instruments, it is recognized for the purity of its voices and the originality of its programs. The Regards festival is the natural extension of this artistic approach, inviting other ensembles and artists to share the stage for unprecedented encounters.

A Program Between Tradition and Modernity

Each edition of the festival is structured around a unifying theme and offers:

• Concerts mixing medieval music, oriental music, and contemporary creation
• Shows for young audiences with puppets, masks, and music
• A ball centered around world musical traditions (Italian tarantella, traditional dances...)
• Musical impromptus in the streets and squares of Domfront
• Workshops for vocal practice and discovery of early music
• Traveling listening booths in the city

The Heritage Sites of Domfront

The festival takes over the remarkable heritage sites of Domfront and neighboring towns: the Notre-Dame-sur-l'Eau church (11th century), a masterpiece of Norman Romanesque art, the municipal theater, the castle ruins, and the rural chapels of the bocage countryside. The exceptional acoustics of these historic venues enhance the voices and instruments.

A Festival of National Reach

A member of the FEVIS (Federation of Specialized Vocal and Instrumental Ensembles), the Regards festival enjoys national recognition. It attracts music lovers from all over France, seduced by the originality of the programming and the beauty of the locations. The festival is supported by the Normandy Region, the Department of Orne, and the DRAC Normandy.