Founded in 1970 at the instigation of Princess Grace of Monaco and presided over by H.R.H. the Princess of Hanover since 1984, the Printemps des Arts de Monte-Carlo is a music festival whose artistic director is the composer and conductor Bruno Mantovani since May 2021.
Artistic Director Bruno Mantovani presents music repertoire extending from the 11th to the 21st centuries as well as film projections, theater, poetry, dance performances. The festival’s main axes are: Tributes to major composers by the best European orchestras as well as classical and contemporary quartets and ensembles of international renown, and world premieres by outstanding contemporary composers.
Besides concerts, the public is invited to enjoy further events such as casual meetings with the artists, conferences by musicologists, masterclasses with guest artists, explained rehearsals or backstage immersions. The festival’s pricing policy is extremely friendly, offering free entry to many events and full rate tickets at 20€ (except for events in collaboration with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo and Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo). All concerts are free under the age of 25.
The Printemps des Arts performances take place across more than twenty magical locations in Monaco and Nice such as Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Grimaldi Forum, Auditorium Rainier III, One Monte-Carlo, Théâtre Princesse Grace, Hôtel Hermitage, Musée océanographique, New Moods, Théâtre National de Nice…
This season celebrates the instrument, an essential mediator between musical thought and emotion. From early flutes to the most modern synthesizers, from curved bows to straight bows, from the harpsichord to the fortepiano, musicians will explore the many avenues of expression with the instrument best suited to each composer's thought and language.
The pianist Jean-Frédéric Neuburger will offer a veritable marathon on the concept of virtuosity, while violinists, specialized ensembles, and orchestras will explore the most utopian repertoires in their treatment of the instrument. The voice will also be featured, from Renaissance madrigals to contemporary works such as Fabián Panisello's chamber opera Les Rois Mages, and a jubilant battle between tenor and countertenor in the Vivaldi repertoire.
Saxophonist Vincent David, organist Olivier Latry, and jazz pianist Yessaï Karapetian will enrich the program, as will an Indian evening dedicated to the captivating sounds of that country. Creations blending acoustic and electronic instruments with visual arts will give pride of place to experimentation, notably with the Sphota ensemble and pianist Claudine Simon.
In co-production with the festival, Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo will present a revival of two Miniatures choreographed in 2004 by Jean-Christophe Maillot, as well as the creation of four new movements commissioned from major contemporary composers, offering a grand choreographic and musical postlude.
The energetic works of painter Yves Millecamps will accompany this edition. They illustrate its breath and momentum, a true ode to movement, speed, and transcendence.
Free admission for people under 25 upon reservation (except for events in collaboration)
Car: Highway A8: From Nice, highway exit 56 – “Monaco” – or highway exit 58 from Italia
Bus: From Nice or Menton, take line 600
Train: SNCF train station – “Monaco” stop, TER PACA
Plane: Nice Cote d’Azur Airport - Take a taxi from Nice Airport on +33 4 93 13 78 78 / Take the Nice-Monaco express bus
Monaco and Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur are very attractive regions for holidays and there is a wide variety of accommodation.
There is no specific dress code at the festival.
“An integral part of this new way of life which gives flavour to a stay in the Principality, gastronomy is greatly honoured by the great chefs who know so well how to share their passion and pass on the richness of the land.
Of course with some 170 other restaurants throughout the Principality, specialities as diverse as grilled meat or fish dishes and other exotic cuisine also appear on the menu.” – Visit Monaco
