Royan Festival

The Royan Festival (or more fully in French the Festival international d'art contemporain de Royan) was held in Royan, in the department of Charente-Maritime in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of southwest France from 1964 to 1977. It was a multi-disciplinary annual event, bringing together:

  • an important contemporary music festival;
  • dance performances;
  • theater;
  • movies;
  • international exhibitions of photographic research;
  • exhibitions of visual arts and arts of the East, the Far East and Africa.

Created in 1963 by Dr. Bernard Gachet, the festival was primarily focused on contemporary music. Its artistic director was Claude Samuel from 1964 to 1972 then Harry Halbreich from 1973 to 1977. The festival was held annually for one week around Easter. Soon, its musical production, the Festival de Royan became as famous as those of Donaueschingen and Venice.

The Olivier Messiaen international piano competition was part of the festival until 1971. In 1972, it was replaced by a flute competition.

Publishing and principal creations

1966

1967

1968

1969
  • Sinfonia by Berio
  • Archipelago II by Boucourechliev
  • Polychrome Reliefs by Jean-Pierre Guézec
  • Quadrivium by Bruno Maderna
  • Nomos Gamma by Xenakis

1970

1971

The theme this year was the contemporary music of Eastern Europe.

It was also the year that created the international exhibition of photographic research (SIRP).

1972

The edition was devoted mainly to the "younger generation".

1973

1974

That year, no fewer than 49 composers (including 15 born after 1940) are found in Royan, 18 different nationalities. Cent creations will be produced during a week.

1975
  • Sonatas for String Quartet and Transit by Brian Ferneyhough ;
  • Quartet by Heinz Holliger ;
  • Sands by Tristan Murail ;
  • Memories to the memory of Giuseppe Sinopoli ;
  • Lamento di Gesu by Radulescu ;
  • Espressivo by Franco Donatoni ;
  • Pinturas Negras and Tiempo para espacios by Cristobal Halffter ;
  • Puzzle by Philippe Manoury ;
  • Threnody by Boucourechliev ;
  • Down to a Sunless Sea by Hugues Dufour ;
  • Musik im Bauch by Karlheinz Stockhausen .

1976
  • Waves of Paul Méfano ;
  • Ecce Opus by Francisco Guerrero ;
  • Cello Concerto by Cristobal Halffter ;
  • Cello Concerto in Isang Yun ;
  • III intervals of Boesmans ;
  • Sinfonie of Friedrich Cerha .

1977

Bibliography
  • Festival international d'art contemporain de Royan 1964-1977 - Henri Besancon, Ed. Bonne Anse, 158 pages, 2007
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