At the Épau festival, the discovery of classical music with concerts open to all, neophytes or enthusiasts

It is an unmissable event in May. Since its creation in 1982, the Épau festival has enabled neophytes and enlightened amateurs alike to discover different facets of classical music. To attract as many people as possible, headliners are scheduled this year, such as the French cellist Victor Julien-Laferrière, the Trio Karénine and the mezzo-soprano Beatrice Uria Monzon.

More surprising, the presence of the writer Yann Queffélec who shares the stage on May 9 with the pianist Yvan Cassar. The duo presents Especially at night, a creation combining literature and music. A night journey that highlights texts by Prévert, Nougaro, Baudelaire and unjustly forgotten poets in a conversation between words and the keyboard. In the second part, Yvan Cassar shares the stage with the singer Louis Chedid for In black and white, a piano-voice concert. An eclecticism assumed by Marianne Gaussiat, artistic director of the Epau festival.

I think classical music is everywhere and it is accessible to all ears. No need to have any special knowledge or skills to listen to classical music. You have to be curious.

Marianne Gaussat

artistic director of the Épau festival

Mix languages ​​and cultures

It is first in the walls of the Royal Abbey of Épau in Yvré-l’Evêque, near Le Mans, that this festival has forged its identity. A sumptuous room which hosts some of the 20 concerts scheduled this year. That day, the Armenian conductor Vahan Mardirossian is in charge. Mixing languages ​​and cultures in a festival like that ofShoulder is in his eyes a real wealth.

“If you speak German, I speak English and someone next door speaks Swedish, it will be difficult to understand each other, he explains. Whereas in music, no. We mix all these different languages ​​to show the universality of music, it’s very important.”

Other emblematic meetings of the festival, the After which make it possible to discover classical artists where they are not expected and Musical lunchtimes focused on discovering young talent. Of the twenty or so performances that make up the two weeks of festivities, eight are free. Often sold-out concerts, proof that classical music is still relevant.