On Monday, July 29th, Le Mas des Romarins will open its doors to a select few for an exclusive collaboration with the Musique Cordiale association. The program includes classical music in the heart of Provence, a friendly atmosphere, and musical discoveries! This event offers a preview of the international Musique Cordiale festival, which will take place from July 30th to August 10th in the Pays de Fayence. The festival features 10 days of classical, lyrical, choral, orchestral, chamber music, and jazz concerts! This year is special as the festival celebrates its 20th anniversary.
In 2004, Pippa Pawlik, a former professional violist newly settled in the Pays de Fayence, had the idea to organize a concert in the church of Seillans to share her passion for classical music by playing Bach’s most famous work: the Mass in B minor. She convinced her musician friends from around the world to join her in this ambitious project. They responded and came from the United States, Zurich, London… The locals, along with the village mayor, were amazed by the initiative and the concert’s quality, providing their support to ensure such performances could continue. The association was officially founded in 2005 and has been growing ever since. It’s a beautiful story of passion and mutual aid, proving that boldness and tenacity can sometimes lead to great achievements!
Since then, Musique Cordiale has presented high-quality classical concerts annually in the picturesque setting of the Pays de Fayence. The festival, artistically directed by Graham Ross, offers a varied program ranging from violin recitals to symphonic oratorios, performed by professional musicians. The next event, the opening concert of the 2024 Festival, will take place on July 30th at Domaine Val d’Iris in Seillans. Supporters are invited to this evening to enjoy wine, music, and delicious food. Choral tradition remains an integral part of Musique Cordiale, with a major choral work closing the festival each year. The choir includes excellent amateur and professional singers from renowned ensembles such as The Bach Choir, the London Symphony Chorus, and the Groupe Vocal Arpège de Bordeaux.
Since its inception, the festival has been organized by Pippa Pawlik, Jonathan Barker (Treasurer), and Jacques Leforestier (Vice-President), with invaluable help from Serge Leibowitz, president of the Seillans Tourist Office. Many volunteers and friends, as well as local authorities including the Seillans City Hall, the Pays de Fayence Community of Communes, and the Var Department, generously support the festival. Musique Cordiale is not just about beautiful concerts and developing young musical talents. The Musique Cordiale Association, a French association, promotes cultural exchange in Europe and worldwide, focusing on the study and performance of music and singing. Its elected Board of Directors manages the strategy and administration of the association. The festival also benefits from the support of The Musique Cordiale Trust, a British non-profit foundation aimed at promoting high-level music and musical education in Europe.
With the label “Cultural Event of the Pays de Fayence,” the festival is funded about 15% by grants, with the rest coming from donations and ticket sales. Whether you are visiting Le Mas des Romarins or are from the region, we highly recommend attending one or more concerts!
This year’s program :