PROFESSIONAL DAYS OF THE FESTIVAL D’AIX-EN-PROVENCE

Each year, the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence is the backdrop for national and international meetings aimed at fostering exchanges between professionals from the worlds of music and opera. In 2026, the Professional Days that will take place on 6, 7 and 8 July.

July 6 — Midi du Festival on Libretto Residency

The Midi du Festival encounter "Focus on the Académie’s Libretto Residency: What librettos for opera today?" will serve as a kick-off event for the Professional Days (Hall of Grand Théâtre de Provence). This panel discussion invites us to reflect on the challenges surrounding the libretto in today’s world: how can we adapt literary tradition, construct new narratives, and invent new dramaturgies for the twenty-first century? Alongside Piersandra Di Matteo, David Levin, and composer Francesco Filidei, a new generation examines this facet of opera-making.

In the evening, Pierre Laurent Aimard’s concert will feature the premiere of Mark Andre’s …selig ist…, marking its French premiere.

July 7 — Opera Makers / Midi du Festival on orchestra

The Opera Makers sessions of the Académie du Festival d'Aix-en-Provence offer international artists and industry professionals various opportunities to meet and exchange ideas.

The Midi du Festival encounter "Orchestras: A musical utopia amidst geopolitical realities?", with Pauline Chaigne (Orchestre des Jeunes de la Méditerranée), Peter Paul Kainrath (Klangforum Wien), Rebecca Ranson (London Symphony Orchestra Discovery), will highlights the remarkable artistic and civic projects led by the London Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestre des Jeunes de la Méditerranée, and the “Tower of Babel” programme of the Klangforum Wien.

The day will end with the awarding of Sacem’s “Prix Pulsations Contemporaines” and a concert by the Klangforum Wien at the Conservatoire Darius Milhaud.

July 8 — Accord Majeur National Meeting

For this 14th edition organised in partnership with the Festival, Accord Majeur presents “Advocating for Public Service”, the third instalment of their Music and Society series. Following the 2026 French municipal elections and ahead of the 2027 presidential election, what measures can we take to ensure robust public cultural services for the future? Round-tables, debates, keynote speakers, and opportunities to meet will be offered throughout the day.