I am putting together a trip thru Provence from June 16-28, and would love to attend a performance or more in a small venue. It could be anywhere from Montpellier to Nice. I will plan my trip around it. I have worn out google with my searches. The big festivals are either later in the summer or 'just too big' for what we want. I want a small, non touristy, casual performance of: choral, flamenco/classical guitar or classical music.
Thanks for any ideas.
Julie, I wish I could help, but I cannot. However, do not despair if you are unable to find concrete information before you depart. In places of some size (definitely including Nice and Montpellier), there will be things going on. I often see posters as I walk down the street or flyers when I stop at the local tourist office. Some of the performances I've seen announced were taking place in churches. At this point, it might be too early to find information on the more casual/local events you're seeking.
If I had to guess, I'd say your odds may be best on Friday and Saturday nights, so you might give some thought to trying to schedule yourself into larger cities on those nights. The locals may not be so interested in musical evenings on work night.
Great timing to be in France for this evening!
The Fête de la Musique is an annual music celebration across France that takes place on 21 June. Here’s more info:
https://fetedelamusique.culture.gouv.fr/
We were in Paris one year during that evening, and we walked around in the St. Germain neighborhood and heard such a great variety of free music as we explored - a classical string quartet on a street corner, a New Orleans style band walking down a street, some music in a church, and a 70’s band. Some corners were drawing bigger crowds; others just a few people. It was a great local experience!
This may be a bit too far west, but in the neighboring (and less touristy) region of Languedoc, there is a former Cistercian monastery called Abbaye de Fontfroide, they have a nice restaurant, and regular concerts of classical music and Gregorian chants. They even produce their own AOC Corbières wine.
Here is their 2019 concert/events calendar: https://www.fontfroide.com/agenda-2019/
More options:
An opera in Orange
https://www.avignon-et-provence.com/en/agenda/choregies-dorange.html
Festival de Marseilles
https://www.avignon-et-provence.com/en/agenda/festival-de-marseille.html
Specifically for classical guitar, I would head down this path of contacting them for information on classical guitar concerts in southern France since Bertrand is making them in that region.
Guitar Salon International: https://www.guitarsalon.com/store/p5603-bertrand-ligier.html
“This guitar was built by the young and extremely talented Bertrand Ligier, who builds guitars in the Languedoc region of Southern France. We're very pleased to be working with this fine young maker and this is an impressive concert-level guitar in every regard. We recommend it to players of any level, from the advanced student to accomplished professional.”
One more comment. ; ).
This was the first one that came to mind when I read your question. If you happen to vacation in Spain during a different trip, be sure to go to Ronda and attend Paco Seco’s small guitar store evening concert.
He has excellent credentials and plays both classical and flamenco music during his small intimate concerts. Here’s an example at his store concert section and another playing elsewhere:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ipu9zd6fHao
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9pFJE1fM6Cs
A few ideas in Provence in June...
A true flamenco performance from the Seville Biennale in a special setting: Patricia Guerrero
If you could arrive before the 14th, an evening of Corsican choral polyphonic music by the great A Filetta: A Filetta
In Aix en Provence, the Festival Lyrique has a program of performances and open rehearsals in June: Festival lyrique in June
From my experience, the first two will sell out early, as the Provençal public are devoted concert goers, and the venues are not large.
Hope this helps!
I saw quite a bit of good music at the Bordeaux wine festival last June.
Merci Beaucoup to all who responded! I will research the tips and add them to my itinerary. I'll update in the coming weeks as my itinerary comes together.
