76th edition – September 8 to 23, 2023

The Festival also retains all its richness and diversity, with concerts of chamber music, baroque music, recitals, vocal music, world music and jazz, and a varied repertoire ranging from Bach to Gershwin, from Allegri to Wagner, via the great composers of the 19th century, right through to the music of today with Alexandros Markeas (five pieces, including two world premieres).

This edition is marked by a greater emphasis on women, as composers, performers, conductors and members of the jury… Much remains to be done, given the weight of history and tradition in the music ecosystem.

Among the new features and highlights are a return to the Saline Royale d’Arc-et-Senans for special events, the strong presence of the two regional orchestras and a closing ceremony merged with the Final of the Young Conductors’ Competition, whose appeal and celebrity are undeniable and which will be presided over by the Japanese conductor Yutaka Sado.
On behalf of the association and the entire organising team, and thanks to the support of our partners and sponsors, we look forward to seeing you all for these 16 days of music.

Jean-Michel Mathé, Director
Myriam Grandmottet, President
And the Festival team

The great symphony orchestras once again punctuated the Festival with much-appreciated concerts: the American overture with the Orchestre Victor Hugo, Beethoven’s 9th for the first appearance at the Festival of the Orchestre Dijon Bourgogne, Debussy’s La Mer performed by Les Dissonances, Russian music with the Philharmonie de Reutlingen, and an unforgettable evening with the Orchestre national d’Île-de-France.
Audiences also enjoyed Renaud Capuçon and the Orchestre de chambre de Lausanne at the Saline royale, as well as chamber music concerts at the Kursaal and the Salle du Parlement.
Five major works by the composer Alexandros Markeas were performed, including two highly acclaimed premieres, notably at the final of the Competition.
The vocal concerts were a great success, particularly at Besançon cathedral (Ensemble Tenebrae), at the Kursaal (Les Surprises) and in Dole (Gli Angeli Genève).
Audiences were equally enthusiastic about the four world music concerts and the traditional jazz aperitifs in Place Granvelle.

The 2023 edition of the Competition was of a very high standard overall, with a very enthusiastic audience during all the rounds. The twenty candidates benefited from a top-class artistic line-up, including the Orchestre Victor Hugo (for 3 rounds), pianist Natacha Kudritskaya, the Orchestre Dijon-Bourgogne and the Orchestre national d’Île-de-France.
At the awards ceremony, Yutaka Sado (winner in 1989), president of the prestigious international jury, awarded the Grand Prix to Swann Van Rechem, who also won the “Coup de cœur” of the orchestra and the public.
Alexandros Markeas awarded Chao Dong of China a “Special Mention” in recognition of his interpretation of the contemporary work.

• Visitor numbers up slightly on 2021 (competition year)

• In 2023, the Festival’s budget will exceed