The latest edition of the Monte-Carlo Spring Arts Festival opened on Wednesday evening with an inaugural concert at Saint-Charles Church, marking the beginning of several weeks dedicated to musical discovery…
Presided over by Her Royal Highness the Princess of Hanover, the festival has spent more than four decades building a reputation for presenting bold and diverse programming. Each year, the event seeks to renew the way audiences experience music by moving freely across centuries, cultures and artistic styles.
The opening concert perfectly illustrated this philosophy. The renowned Italian ensemble La Venexiana performed madrigals from the 16th and 17th centuries, featuring works by composers Carlo Gesualdo and Claudio Monteverdi. Their performance transported listeners into the expressive world of early music, highlighting the richness and emotional depth of Renaissance and Baroque vocal traditions.
The evening also included a contemporary dimension, another hallmark of the festival. Accordionists Fanny Vicens and Jean-Étienne Sotty presented works by modern composers and premiered a new piece by Théo Mérigeau written especially for their duo. The performance showcased the growing repertoire for the accordion, an instrument that has increasingly found its place in contemporary classical music.
The Monte-Carlo Spring Arts Festival continues in the coming days with concerts across several venues in the Principality, including performances at the Auditorium Rainier III and the Oceanographic Museum, offering audiences a unique musical journey blending tradition and innovation.
Image: Monaco Info