AIX-EN-PROVENCE.- The Festival d’Aix-en-Provence concluded its 78th edition after welcoming nearly 64,000 spectators across a wide-ranging program of opera, concerts, public talks, screenings and educational initiatives. Held from July 2 to 21, 2026, the edition was conceived by Pierre Audi and presented as a tribute to his artistic vision and dedication to the festival.

More than 38,000 seats were filled for operas and concerts during the July program, while almost 26,000 people attended the festival’s free events. These included the Aix en juin pre-festival program, performances by the Orchestre des Jeunes de la Méditerranée, film screenings, public rehearsals, talks and introductory events.

The festival reported an overall attendance rate of 92 percent, while its staged operas reached 97 percent capacity—four percentage points higher than in 2025.

The results reflect the continuing appeal of one of Europe’s most prominent opera festivals, but also the institution’s efforts to reach audiences beyond traditional opera circles. More than 12,400 tickets, representing 37.5 percent of total sales, were priced below €60.

Young audiences formed an important part of the 2026 edition. A total of 3,136 tickets were sold to people under 30, accounting for nearly 10 percent of attendance at the July performances. The festival’s youth pricing program offered discounts of up to 70 percent across all seating categories.

A special “Queen of the Night” evening, organised before a performance of The Magic Flute on July 15, attracted 270 young attendees. Another 697 tickets were distributed through Opéra ON, the festival’s program for people under 30, which provides discounted access, free events and opportunities to meet artists throughout the season.

Opera, concerts and a month of free programming

The principal July program featured 45 performances, including four fully staged operas—one of them a world premiere—alongside one music-theatre production, two operas in concert form, 16 concerts and recitals, and appearances by five guest orchestras.

The festival’s activities had already begun in June with the 14th edition of Aix en juin, a free program held from June 12 to 30. It attracted 15,192 spectators to 39 events, including concerts, masterclasses, workshops, film screenings and performances created for young audiences.

Audience engagement extended beyond the stage through 27 introductory talks held before opera performances and 17 free public meetings and debates presented as part of the Midis du Festival series.

Fourteen free opera screenings were also organised in 11 municipalities across the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, allowing audiences outside Aix-en-Provence to participate in the festival.

Education and community participation

The festival’s Passerelles department continued its educational and social outreach activities throughout the region. Nearly 4,500 participants were introduced to opera through rehearsals, festival performances, musical encounters and educational recitals.

The program worked with approximately 170 partner organisations in 41 towns, including schools, universities, healthcare institutions and groups dedicated to social and professional integration.

More than 300 workshops and project presentations were organised. The festival also held 78 behind-the-scenes visits to its theatres, costume workshops and set-building facilities.

An Open Day dedicated to technical professions brought together 17 stage professionals and attracted more than 500 visitors. Meanwhile, the Opéra ON youth community grew to 845 members, with more than 600 young people participating in five free events during the season.

Participatory projects were another major component of the edition. Odyssées, developed for the second consecutive year with artists from Collectif Meute, brought together an intergenerational group of 75 participants, including students, school employees and members of an association supporting migrants.

The resulting collective performance was presented twice at Villa Lily Pastré before an audience of nearly 400 people.

The festival also collaborated with the Aix-Marseille University Vocal Ensemble, known as EV’AMU. Student singers appeared at Silvacane Abbey and later participated in Orfeo Vacilla, an immersive production combining opera and contemporary circus.

Inspired by Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice, the production featured amateur singers, circus artists, professional opera performers and countertenor Ludovic Glowacz. Eight performances at the Centre International des Arts en Mouvement attracted more than 1,500 spectators.

Supporting a new generation of artists

The 28th edition of the Festival Academy welcomed 47 artists representing 16 nationalities and nine professional disciplines.

Its activities included four residencies led by 11 mentors, more than 202 hours of coaching, public masterclasses, networking sessions and eight concerts in Aix and Venelles. Four commissioned works received their world premieres during the program.

Twenty-three artists who had previously participated in Academy residencies returned as members of the casts and creative teams for productions including The Magic Flute, Die Frau ohne Schatten, Accabadora, Requiem, El Cimarrón and Les Vêpres siciliennes.

The Orchestre des Jeunes de la Méditerranée marked 40 years of bringing together young musicians from countries around the Mediterranean. More than 500 artists auditioned for its 2026 programs, with 82 musicians selected for the symphonic session.

Participants represented 24 nationalities, with the orchestra reporting almost equal participation by women and men.

A festival reaching audiences beyond Aix

The edition attracted 223 accredited journalists, including 119 from outside France.

France Musique recorded six evening performances and produced five special broadcasts. ARTE recorded Die Frau ohne Schatten and The Magic Flute, making both productions available through its television and digital platforms.

The festival also expanded its year-round digital presence through La Scène Numérique, offering opera webcasts, public discussions, podcasts, artist interviews and a documentary about the making of The Magic Flute.

Following the strong attendance recorded in 2026, the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence has announced that its 79th edition will take place from July 1 to 20, 2027.