Beaune Goes Baroque

Burgundy’s lovely wine center, Beaune, offers an idyllic setting for the International Festival of Baroque Music. Since 1982, the prestigious festival has showcased more than 75 Baroque operas—25 of them world premieres—performed by highly acclaimed musicians in the courtyard of the historic 15th century Hospices de Beaune and in the Basilique Notre Dame. The music is played on period instruments. Performances, which include opera, concertos, and recitals, are held all four weekends in July.

Details:

When: July 1 – July 24, 2011

Information: www.festivalbeaune.com (in French only) OR Email: festival.beaune@wanadoo.fr

Festival de Carcassonne

One of the best preserved walled towns of Europe, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Carcassonne hosts an annual summer festival with a breathtaking array of events—110 to be somewhat precise. Visualize Madame Butterfly performed outdoors against the backdrop of this medieval architectural jewel... Or an exquisite performance of dazzling trapeze acts high in the sky... Or elaborate equestrian performances by member of the Versailles Academy. Every nook and corner is claimed by entertainers, popular artists, and buskers who sing traditional French and Occitan songs of heritage and tradition, while the Grand Theatre and Basilique Saint-Nazaire reverberate with the sounds of Jose Carreras and a roster of beloved jazz and pop stars. Top it all of with a bowl of cassoulet and a classic French vintage and this Festival is sure to be a magical travel highlight.

DETAILS:
When: June 16 – August 15
For more info: www.festivaldecarcassonne.fr
Tickets to specific performances available at each event from 8.00 p.m. every performance night. Or, online at: www.fnac.com or www.ticketnet.fr