The Departmental Council of the Somme, which organizes the Saint-Riquier Festival, created in 1985 as an event dedicated to classical music, has chosen to develop it for this 2022 edition. It now offers an eclectic program that invites you to discover other musical genres, with the intention of reaching as many people as possible.
There is therefore also space for jazz, electro, pop, French song, and even rap every day in a place dedicated to current music, with artists, some of whom are from the Somme or Hauts-de- France, like the Amiens musician Okala and his dreamlike pop. But there will also be breakdance with Kamil Bousselham, also from Amiens, a figure of the discipline.
But the faithful of Saint-Riquier, and lovers of classical music have not been forgotten. At the heart of the Abbey, the historic site of the festival, they will be able to listen to large ensembles and soloists who make the news. Like countertenor Tim Mead, violinist Nemanja Radulovic, or cellist Anthony Leroy.
The first spectators, on Saturday 22, were able to discover a very talented musician, the young Korean pianist Hyelim Kim, who opened the festival with a recital at the Abbey. A moment that the 19-year-old artist was looking forward to: “I heard that this festival was one of the most renowned in France. For me, the most important thing was to be able to perform on this stage. It was a great privilege to be here“.
And then the Festival of Saint-Riquier Baie de Somme also offers an Off, with a daily video mapping on the facade of the Abbey and the “General Tour!” which will host jazz, rock and song groups in the town’s bars and restaurants.
Festival Saint-Riquier Baie de Somme – until Wednesday 26 October – Place de l’Eglise 80135 Saint-Riquier – Information and tickets on the festival website.