Classical Music

Structured by a series of specific programs, Culturesfrance's department of Classical Music continues to support the distribution of soloists, groups and French ensembles.

The traditional partner of many French music projects abroad, Culturesfrance pursues its role as the leading supporter of distribution projects through financing and production assistance. While it gives priority to traveling ancient and baroque music ensembles and chamber music and soloist concerts, this support also goes unhesitatingly to major events in French music or tours of large symphonic ensembles, playing an active role in the production of events around the world. It also brings a majority of tours to neighboring lands and new publics. Wherein possible, the concerts result in exchanges or even collaborations between French and local ensembles, even if this cooperation is largely highlighted within the framework of this division’s many programs.

Portraits de compositeurs is a program that supports contemporary French composers. It is based on a residence of composers at institutions and with foreign ensembles, eventually with a contribution from the French musicians.

Shortly after the “Sounds French” festival, which offered a gigantic panorama of contemporary French music in New York for one month in 2003, a French-American Fund for Contemporary Music was created.

A flagship program in the field of classical music, Déclic ensures the promotion of young French soloists and chamber music players who have received awards from international competitions. Initiated by Culturesfrance in collaboration with Radio France, supported since January 2005 by the Mécénat Musical Société Générale, it offers selected young artists the basic tools for them to begin their career (a concert at Radio France, a promotional CD and international tours).

Since 2004, the program Tremplin introduced French artists whose careers are soaring in France to the organizers of the most important foreign concerts. This is done by inviting these figures to France within the framework of partner festivals for instrumentalists or by promoting professional auditions outside France for singers.

Support for orchestra conducting is provided through the program Un chef, un orchestre and encourages invitations from foreign orchestras to emerging or professional French conductors by proposing a rendezvous based on the French symphonic repertory.

The program Premières lyriques aims to support the production of certain masterpieces of French music literature – particularly of the 20th century – on great stages around the world where they have never been produced. Culturesfrance offers to send a small French production team to work with local assistants and eventually involve young French producers.

Finally, this cooperative effort is pursued within the field of education by the "Conservatoires itinérants". In collaboration with the DMDTS of the Ministry of Culture and Communication and French institutions of higher learning Culturesfrance supports workshops, master classes and conferences delivered to foreign students by distinguished French professors.

Contact: Jean-Louis Gavatorta and Louis Presset