Symphonies d'Automne — Mâcon International Opera Singing Competition
The vocal art festival and the Mâcon international opera singing competition
About Symphonies d'Automne
Thirty years serving the voice
Created in 1993 by the association Mâcon Symphonies, the Symphonies d'Automne festival has been celebrating vocal art in all its forms for over thirty years. What began as an opera singing competition has gradually been enriched by a true festival dedicated to the voice, making Mâcon an ephemeral capital of song every November. Under the artistic direction of David Hurpeau and the presidency of Jacqueline Falconnet, the festival now shines far beyond Burgundy.
A benchmark international competition
The International Opera Singing Competition is the beating heart of Symphonies d'Automne. Open to singers from all over the world, it takes place in three public rounds — quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals — allowing the public to follow the candidates' progress. The jury brings together personalities from the lyrical world each year: composers, conductors, opera directors from Besançon, Rennes, Lorraine, and elsewhere. The final, accompanied by the Mâcon Symphony Orchestra, is the highlight of the festival.
The 2025 edition saw 61 singers from around the world compete under the patronage of soprano Catherine Trottmann and the jury presidency of composer Régis Campo.
A multifaceted festival
Beyond the competition, Symphonies d'Automne offers a rich and varied program. The 2025 edition, themed around the Far North, offered a poetic immersion into Scandinavian musical traditions, featuring boreal polyphonies, children's songs, and soundscapes inspired by the fjords. Gounod's opera Faust, conducted by David Hurpeau, jazz and contemporary music concerts, conferences, master classes, and youth performances completed the program.
The festival takes over numerous venues in Mâcon: the Théâtre, Scène nationale de Mâcon for the final and major concerts, the Conservatoire Edgar Varèse, the Cave à Musique, Le Crescent, the Protestant temple, and the Pathé cinema for the opening film screening.
A springboard for tomorrow's voices
Symphonies d'Automne plays a major role as a springboard for young opera singers. Competition winners gain national and international visibility, and many former finalists now pursue careers on the greatest European opera stages. The festival also involves the Conservatoire Edgar Varèse and regional choirs in its programming, actively participating in the training and transmission of vocal art.
Symphonies d'Automne — edition 2026
33rd edition of Symphonies d'Automne, the Mâcon vocal art festival, from November 3 to 15, 2026. Two weeks of recitals, polyphonies, opera, and vocal performances, culminating in the final of the 33rd Mâcon International Lyric Singing Competition on November 15 at the Théâtre, Scène nationale.
33rd Edition: The Voice at the Heart of Mâcon
From November 3 to 15, 2026, Symphonies d'Automne celebrates its 33rd edition, making Mâcon the ephemeral capital of the voice. Under the artistic direction of David Hurpeau, the festival presents a program dedicated to vocal art for nearly two weeks — recitals, polyphonies, opera, master classes, and shows for young audiences — in the city's main venues: the Théâtre, Scène nationale de Mâcon, la Cave à Musique, Le Crescent, and the Conservatoire Edgar Varèse.
The International Lyric Singing Competition
The beating heart of the festival, the 33rd Mâcon International Lyric Singing Competition, takes place from November 9 to 15, 2026. Open to young singers from around the world under 35 years old (born after January 1, 1991), it unfolds in several public rounds and concludes with the final accompanied by the Orchestre Symphonique de Mâcon, on November 15 at the Théâtre, Scène nationale. Candidates notably perform set pieces by composer Albena Petrovic. The prizes represent a total endowment of 16,000 € (1st prize 5,000 €, French melody prize 3,000 €, young talent prize, audience prize, orchestra prize, and high school students' prize, among others).
Programme Symphonies d'Automne 2026
2026 Calendar (sources: official Symphonies d'Automne website)
- Mon. Nov. 3 — Opening Night: « Les Saphirs »
- Tue. Nov. 4 — « Manège, manège » (show for young audiences)
- Wed. Nov. 5 — « Discovering New Sound Worlds » (free admission)
- Fri. Nov. 7 — Concert: Zélie
- Sat. Nov. 8 — « The Breaths of Aeolus »
- Sun. Nov. 9 — Moravski Choir Concert · opening of the International Lyric Singing Competition
- Mon. Nov. 10 — « Dreams and Scents of Opera »
- Tue. Nov. 11 — « The Music of Words » (free admission)
- Fri. Nov. 13 — « The Play of Robin and Marion »
- Sat. Nov. 14 — Lyric Singing Master Class (free admission) · « Autumn Polyphonies » · Célia Forestier & Elinoa
- Sun. Nov. 15 — Final of the International Lyric Singing Competition & Awards Ceremony (Théâtre, Scène nationale, with the Orchestre Symphonique de Mâcon) · « Liszt's Last Recital in Istanbul »
Detailed program and schedules available on the official website: symphonies-automne.fr
Highlights Symphonies d'Automne 2026
- 33rd edition of the Mâcon vocal art festival, from November 3 to 15, 2026
- 33rd International Lyric Singing Competition (final on November 15 with the Orchestre Symphonique de Mâcon)
- Total prize endowment for the competition: 16,000 €
- Recitals, polyphonies, opera, master classes, and shows for young audiences in several city venues
Prices Symphonies d'Automne 2026
Practical information — Symphonies d'Automne
Access
Symphonies d'Automne takes place in several venues in Mâcon: Théâtre Scène nationale, Conservatoire Edgar Varèse, Cave à Musique, Le Crescent, Protestant temple.
- By car: Mâcon is accessible via the A6 (Mâcon-Nord or Mâcon-Sud exit), 1 hour from Lyon and 4 hours from Paris.
- By train: Mâcon-Loché TGV station (Paris-Lyon TGV, 1h40 from Paris) and Mâcon-Ville station (TER).
Prices
Prices vary depending on the concerts and venues. Some events are free. Tickets available on the website of the Théâtre Scène nationale de Mâcon and on the festival website.
Contact
- Phone: 03 85 38 13 21
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: symphonies-automne.fr
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Where does it take place — Symphonies d'Automne
Théâtre, Scène nationale de Mâcon
Théâtre, Scène nationale de Mâcon, 71000 Mâcon