► Centenary Pierre Boulez
The composer Pierre Boulez here in 1998. / Thierry Martinot / Bridgeman Images
Legitimately led by Laurent Bayle, who was one of the most faithful friends and supporters of Pierre Boulez (1925-2016), the celebrations of the centenary of the birth of the composer Masterless hammer start on January 6. With, in the great hall – which bears his name – of the Philharmonie de Paris, the Intercontemporain Ensemble of which he was the founder.
Dozens of concerts will follow, in the capital, in France and around the world. Still often considered by the general public as the symbol of hermetic contemporary music, Pierre Boulez will be celebrated as a creator but also as a conductor and “man of action”, who did not fear controversy.
► January celebrates with the Lille Orchestra
The Sacre 4.0 concert, inspired by Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, mixes music, dance and new technologies. /Michael Kraus
Who says that the first month of the year is sad, dark and cold? In the northern capital, the Lille National Orchestra has concocted a restorative counterpoison, for all generations. Kicks off on January 8 with a film concert around the 20th anniversary of Merry Christmas, the humanist film by Christian Carion.
On the 11th, families are invited to (re)discover the breathtaking Rite of Spring by Stravinsky brought to the taste of new digital technologies. Return to the symphonic tradition on the 16th and 17th with the Violin Concerto by Brahms and A hero's life by Richard Strauss, conducted by Chinese maestro Lio Kuokman… The end of January and February are no less flamboyant, eclectic, inventive!
► 50 years of the Lyon Auditorium
The Maurice-Ravel Auditorium in Lyon can accommodate up to 2,100 people. / Lyon Auditorium
The Maurice-Ravel Auditorium (the 150th anniversary of which we celebrate in 2025) was designed by Charles Delfante and Henri Pottier and inaugurated, after three years of work, on February 14, 1975. This impressive concrete shell serves as a setting to a room with 2,100 seats and has enjoyed the “Remarkable Contemporary Architecture” label since 2012.
Retold in an exhibition, this half-century is above all the happy pretext for a superb orchestral season. Note at the start of the year, a Schubert-Mahler evening on January 30 and February 1, followed by a very attractive Ravel program in several episodes, from February 9 to March 22.
► “Orpheus in the Underworld”…and in Toulouse
From January 24 to February 2, the Capitole de Toulouse welcomes “Orphée aux Enfers”, in a production by Olivier Py. / Jean-Guy Python
Between Orpheus and Eurydice, nothing goes right! The couple is so divided that the death of the young woman literally delights her husband. Joyfully revisited by Offenbach in 1858, the amorous myth is transformed into a rhythmic romp, with lots of vocals and features, each more delicious than the last.
Under the musical direction of Chloé Dufresne and directed by Olivier Py, tenor Cyrille Dubois and soprano Marie Perbost will squabble over who is better on the Capitole stage. Laughter, delirium and French cancan impose their irresistible law.
► “Pelléas and Mélisande” at the Paris Opera
Director Wajdi Mouawad signs his second show for the Paris Opera. / Patrick Imbert
Can we imagine a more delicate, more musical duo to embody Pelléas and Mélisande? British baritone Huw Montague Rendall and French soprano Sabine Devieilhe are reunited on the Bastille stage in a new production of Claude Debussy's masterpiece.
Antonello Manacorda will officiate in the pit while director Wajdi Mouawad signs his second show – the first was Oedipus by Enesco – for the Paris Opera. The public is already curious to discover how this man of the theater absorbs the mysterious climate of the music and the equally enigmatic character of the characters.
► “Dialogues of the Carmelites” in Rouen
Director Tiphaine Raffier will attempt the lyrical adventure for the first time with her Dialogue des carmalités at the Rouen Opera. / Simon Gosselin
After the Parisian revival of Francis Poulenc's opera in the poignant production by Olivier Py, here is a new production of Dialogues of the Carmelites at the Rouen Opera. We won't complain, as the score and the libretto from a play by Bernanos take emotion and reflection to the highest level.
Under the musical direction of the excellent Ben Glassberg, Hélène Carpentier takes on the role of young Blanche from La Force, alongside Lucile Richardot as First Prioress, Emy Gazeilles as Sister Constance and Axelle Fanyo as Madame Lidoine… The director Tiphaine Raffier will take her highly anticipated first steps into the lyrical world.
