The History of Festival de Saint Denis

The text comes from the information I was given the first day of internship, but all of it is in French. Therefore, I am translating the text into English, since no translation is offered on their website and it’s a great way to practice translation!

The first edition of the festival took place in June 1969 under the direction of Maurice Soucheyre, the cultural assistant to the city of Saint Denis and Marcelin Berthelot, the mayor of the city at that time.

During the first years, the festival took place in the Basilica (more to come…) offering around 10 concerts. 40 years later, the Festival proposes more than 40 concerts, taking place between March and July in the Plaine Commune Territory (more to come…).

In 1979, Jean Pierre Le Pavec became director of the Festival, and a partnership was formed between the Festival and Radio France, because of a wonderful performance of Mahler’s Symphony #8 directed by Seiji Ozawa that was transmitted on one of their stations. This relationship has permitted the Festival to bring some of the big names to participate in the concerts. Such names include in the conductor section: Seiji Ozawa, Riccardo Muti and Kurt Masur, singers include: Barbara Hendricks, Teresa Berganza, Jessye Norman, and Giovanna Marini.

The festival welcomes artists of all music backgrounds, not just those of classical music as is evident with the electronic oud (more to come…) group and electronic classical Mozart.

The festival often collaborates with some top names  such as the choreographer Philippe Decoufle, the theater producer Bob Wilson, the composers: Nicolas Frize, Philippe Glass, John Cage, Pierre Boulez and this year’s composer: Goran Bregovic (lots to come about him!).

This Festival was conceived and is organized  by the city of Saint Denis, which mixes its heritage (the Kings of France’s legacy), architecture(the Basilica) and unique culture (the atmosphere) , and for the most part the neighborhood supports it with a huge supply of volunteers.

The Politics:

Since the 80’s and the cultural politic of Jack Lang (a former Minister of Culture), the cultural structures have obtained and received grants which helps to provide “culture for all” (the slogan of the Minister of the Culture in France).

The last fifteen years due to this slogan, the festival has decided to take a different route in the organization of its concerts by offering a wider selection.

Some examples of these concerts this year are Métis: a week dedicated to music influenced by the classics, master classes with free concerts, lower ticket prices for people who are from Saint Denis and giant screens streaming the concerts next to the Mayor’s Office. 

The Program for this year!!!

Mar. 1er juin 20h30 Basilique Requiem des Rois de France 4
Jeu. 3 juin 20h30 Basilique Messe de Schubert / Muti 6
Ven. 4 juin 20h30 Basilique Messe de Schubert / Muti 6
Lun. 7 juin 20h30 Basilique Margot, Mémoire d’une Reine (Métis) 8
Mar. 8 juin 20h30 Basilique Margot, Mémoire d’une Reine (Métis) 8
Mar. 8 juin 20h30 Légion d’Honneur Capuçon / Grimaud 27
Mer. 9 juin 20h30 Légion d’Honneur Capuçon / Grimaud 27
Jeu. 10 juin 20h30 Basilique Requiem de Fauré 10
Ven. 11 juin 20h30 Légion d’Honneur Requiem de Fauré 10
Ven. 11 juin 22h15 Basilique Private Domain 11
Dim. 13 juin 17h00 Légion d’Honneur David Fray 28
Lun. 14 juin 20h30 Basilique Motets & Fireworks de Haendel 12
Mar. 15 juin 21h00 Légion d’Honneur Barenboim / Said 29
Mer. 16 juin 20h30 Basilique Symphonie no5 de Beethoven 14
Jeu. 17 juin 20h30 Basilique Le Oud selon Smadj (Métis) 16
Sam. 19 juin 20h30 Basilique Symphonie no4 de Mahler 18
Mar. 22 juin 20h30 Basilique Les Reines du Bel Canto 20
Jeu. 24 juin 20h30 Basilique Stabat Mater de Poulenc 22
Ven. 25 juin 20h30 Basilique Stabat Mater de Poulenc 22
Dim. 27 juin 17h00 Légion d’Honneur Lecture 5
Lun. 28 juin 20h30 Légion d’Honneur Lecture 5
Mar. 29 juin 20h30 Basilique Symphonie no4 de Brahms 25
Mer. 30 juin 20h30 Légion d’Honneur Lecture 5
Jeu. 1er juillet 20h30 Basilique Thamos, Roi d’Egypte de Mozart 26