Baroque Passions

Passions Baroques 2026 promises to be an unmissable event for all lovers of early music, set against the stunning backdrop of the Montalbano region. Eleven days of musical splendour that promise to enchant the senses and nourish the soul.

The 2026 edition brings together leading ensembles and artists who are promoting Baroque music across Europe. The programme features Gli Incogniti, conducted by Amandine Beyer, one of the most admired Baroque violinists of her generation; the vocal ensemble La Main Harmonique, founded by Frédéric Bétous and Nadia Lavoyer; the Auvergne Regional Choir, conducted by Blaise Plumettaz, and, of course, Les Passions, the Montauban Baroque orchestra conducted by Jean-Marc Andrieu.

The artistic eclecticism continues with the Trio Passeggiata, young talents from the Toulouse Regional Conservatoire, the choreographer and Baroque dancer Guillaume Jablonka and his company Divertimenty, as well as the singer and storyteller Marie-Bénédicte Souquet, artist-in-residence at Angers-Nantes Opéra. This diversity of performers guarantees a multifaceted and enriching exploration of the Baroque repertoire, ranging from intimate concerts to a costume ball and lyrical storytelling.

The composers featured showcase the richness of Europe’s Baroque heritage: Corelli, Telemann, Vivaldi, Purcell, Bach, Monteverdi and Handel, alongside lesser-known artists such as Loeillet and Pancrace Royer. Alongside these masters, the ensemble La Main Harmonique creates a dialogue between Renaissance madrigals and contemporary works by Caroline Marçot, Raphaèle Biston and Alexandros Markeas. A journey through the Baroque schools, from Italy to England via France.

The festival takes place in remarkable architectural settings that enhance every musical performance. The Théâtre Olympe de Gouges is hosting this year’s major events, whilst the Église Saint-Jacques in Montauban will provide its exceptional acoustics for the closing concert. The Ingres Bourdelle Museum will host concerts and a Baroque ball in its courtyard, whilst the Abbey of Belleperche, in Cordes-Tolosannes, will host a 2026 premiere within its Cistercian setting. Not to mention more intimate venues such as the Maison du Crieur, the Ancien Collège and the Church of Gibiniargues in Puycornet, which provide opportunities for special encounters between artists and the public.

The festival stands out for the diversity of its artistic programme. Symphonic concerts, contemporary works, a Baroque ball, a lyrical tale, talks, exhibitions… every format has its place in this Baroque celebration.

Among the highlights announced are: ‘Per li coglioni’, ‘Vivaldi a piacere’, a new work by Gli Incogniti and Amandine Beyer to mark the ensemble’s 20th anniversary; “Handel’s Most Beautiful Arias” by Les Passions, a concert marking the orchestra’s 40th anniversary; and Handel’s Messiah, performed by the Auvergne Regional Choir and Les Passions to bring the festival to a close at Saint-Jacques Church. The exhibition “Stage Costumes”, at the Maison du Crieur, featuring costumes kindly loaned by the Opéra Grand Avignon, will take visitors behind the scenes of the opera from 2 to 31 October.