Violoncelles en Folie

The cello in the spotlight in the Alps

Created in 2006 by the association Cello au Sommet, led by Fernando Lima and Aude Vanackère, the Violoncelles en Folie festival has become a European benchmark for the cello. Every summer, for a week in August, Villar-Saint-Pancrace and the villages of the Briançonnais vibrate to the sound of cellos, welcoming over 120 cellists from all over Europe for the academy and concerts.

The Academy: A Workshop Open to All

The Violoncelles en Folie Academy is an intensive one-week workshop open to all levels: adults, teenagers, and children from 6 years old. The program includes individual lessons, master classes, group lessons, exam preparation, orchestra workshops, and sessions on chamber music, improvisation, and composition. Participants benefit from the guidance of international professors and artists.

Concerts throughout the Briançonnais

In parallel with the academy, the festival offers a week of concerts in heritage sites in the Briançonnais: hamlet chapels, churches, halls in Briançon, and natural spaces. The programming is resolutely eclectic, mixing classical music, contemporary music, jazz, and world music. Internationally renowned artists have performed over the years, including Marc Coppey, Astrig Siranossian, and the Tansman Cello Quartet.

20 Years of Passion for the Cello

In 2025, Violoncelles en Folie celebrated its 20th edition, confirming the vitality and influence of this unique festival. The Cello au Sommet association continues its mission of transmission and sharing of the passion for the cello, contributing to making the Briançonnais a territory of excellence for music. The 21st edition is scheduled from August 1st to 8th, 2026.