Music Valley - La haute vallée de l'Allier, Auvergne, France Auvergne - France:

 The high valley of the Allier.
between Brioude and Langeac.

Performers,
locations

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Musician's holiday......

The organisers of events in the high valley of the Allier are happy to receive enquiries from musicians looking for a place to perform in a delightful part of rural southern France. Locations vary from the Mediaeval Basilica in Brioude (400 places) or the modern auditorium in Langeac (300 places), to the more intimate locations of the Valley's historic churches (120 to 200 places) and other locations.

From top professionals to talented amateurs

The music season in the Haute Vallée is largely provided by small ensembles, such as chamber orchestras, instrumental ensembles, quartets, duos and solo performers. Since 2008, the Valley has welcomed musicians and  ensembles from France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Spain, Russia, Bielorussia, Israel, the USA, and the UK.. These have included performers from the BBC singers, the Wellington Symphonia, the Brussels Philharmonic orchestra, the Minsk Opera, the Opéra de St. Etienne and other internationally renowned musicians; but the range of performers has also included many talented amateurs, and musicians with no high-profile accolades.  Check out the 2023 concert programm for an idea of the diversity.

Musique en la Vallée - the Haut Allier Fringe - is not a chic festival for the gliterati of the world of music; there is already one of those on our doorstep - the International Music Festival of la Chaise Dieu (less than 20 miles from Brioude).  
Musique en la Vallée is a relaxed affair, a "fringe without a festival", a season for music lovers, and an opportunity for musicians to perform in an informal environment in one of the most beautiful parts of France. Professionals, amateurs, up-and-coming musicians, whatever your background, if you can offer a quality performance and would like further information, email Musique en la Vallée at contact "at" music-valley.org  for further details.

Unfortunately, our small musical associations, staffed by dedicated volunteers, work on very tight budgets. Unlike our well-known neighbour the La Chaise-Dieu festival, we get very little in the way of subsidies ; and however much we'd love to do so, we can't offer large fees.  But to any professional or amateur group who would like to come and play or sing in our churches or castles, we say "Get in touch with us and let us know your terms. We'll see what we can manage."  We can maybe offer you a chance to play or sing, this year or next,  in a beautiful historic building, and while you're here, let you discover one of the most beautiful and relatively undiscovered parts of southern France.

Our finest venue, the St. Julian's Basilica in Brioude, is one of the most impressive romanesque churches in France, and one of less than 30 churches and cathedrals in France to have the coveted three-star accolade in the Michelin travel guide.

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