A Festival of classical music
A harmonious blend of the enchanting world of classical music with the historical heritage creates a unique experience that captivates both the ears and the soul.
AIRVAULT ALLEGRO
Festival
1st edition, Airvault 2025
AIRVAULT ALLEGRO Festival is founded by the initiative of the internationally acclaimed orchestra conductor, pianist and stage director, George Petrou.
An inhabitant of the beautiful town of Airvault since 2023, George Petrou hopes to share precious musical experiences with friends, local audiences and visitors alike.
The 1st edition of AIRVAULT ALLEGRO Festival will take place in two of the town's most iconic landmarks: the Château les Sénéchaux and the Abbatiale Saint-Pierre.
Artists of international caliber and performers of great accomplishments will participate in five exciting concerts and events, combining the town's rich heritage with the magic of performing some of the world's greatest musical masterpieces in historical and inspiring venues.
The AIRVAULT ALLEGRO Festival is run by the society "Les amis des Sénéchaux", which aims to organize cultural events, support and promote culture in the field of classical music, history, architecture and fine arts in the town of Airvault and its region and to support and develop research and artistic creation in all their forms aimed at all audiences.
Tickets 12 €
Free for children under 14 y.
Discounts
2 concerts 20 €
3 concerts 30 €
4 concerts 35 €
Airvault
Petite Cité de Caractère
Nestled in the heart of the Thouet valley, Airvault was built around the Augustinian Abbey founded at the end of the 10th century by Aldéarde d'Aulnay. The medieval town is known under the name "Auréa Vallis" which means the "Golden Valley" or "Clear Valley". Of the Abbey, the church still remains today, a major building in the history of Romanesque art, with its narthex, unique in Poitou, and its chapter house. Part of the convent buildings still exist and host the Jacques Guidez museum. In the former abbey dwelling, a vast collection of ethnographic objects is presented to the public.
Dominating the village, the Old Castle watches over this medieval town which developed in the 19th century, as evidenced by its architecture. Follow the Aldéarde paths and let yourself be guided through the picturesque streets. You will discover a diverse and preserved heritage, punctuated with curiosities: a market hall (les halles), an underground fountain, Art Nouveau houses, a cylinder organ.
Outside the town, another equally rich landscape awaits you: the medieval bridges spanning the Thouet, the green estate of Soulièvres, but also the mills and lime kilns, witnesses of the industrial era.
Le Château les Sénéchaux
One of the landmarks of the charming town of Airvault, the Château les Sénéchaux is situated at the peripherie of the settlement.
The area, marked as "Les Sénéchaux" at the "Repertoire methodique du cadastre napoleonien des Deux Sevres, of 1829", was dominated by the remnants of a fortified building from the previous centuries (justifying the military "Sénéchaux" title), including impressive fortified walls, watch towers and an intricate labyrinth of underground caves connecting different areas.
During the decade of 1870, the Jaurand family, a distinguished local family of doctors, decided to build the current château. Constructed in the typical 19th century Néogothique style, the building is a wonderful example of the bourgeois esthetics of the period, paying tribute to the glorious past of the medieval castles a lot of which can still be found in the broader area. This romantic idealisation of the past was mixed with the curiosity about the modern technology and the inventivenss of Isidor Jaurand, a doctor, an inventor and later a mayor of Airvault (1900-1911).
The château is built on the foundations of the old fortress, retaining most of the exterior fortified walls along with the mysterious passages and hidden doorways in the cave area.
The exquisite original woodwork, made with wood coming form the property, is still preserved inside the building.
Château Les Sénéchaux offers a spectacular barn with a wonderful framework as well as delicious extensive gardens designed at the end of the 19th century, still preserving many of their original elements.
With the help of friends and remarkable craftsmen, the current owners are restoring the building and the gardens with the largest respect for its importance and its past, in the hope of creating a welcoming environment where the Arts and spirituality will attract friends and visitors.
George Petrou
artistic director
Greek born George Petrou is one of today's most acclaimed conductors with a remarkable international career.
He is the Artistic director of the historical "Internationale Händel Festspiele-Göttingen" in Germany, the oldest baroque opera festival in the world, counting over 100 years.
Additionally, he is the artistic director of the renowned Athens based orchestra "Armonia Atenea", with which he records and tours throughout Europe.
He has also developed a vivid interest in stage directing and has signed several successful opera and musical theater productions.
He has been a regular guest of prestigious opera theatres and concert halls including the the Opera Royal de Versailles, the Theatre Champs-Elysées, the Opera de Nice, the Opera de Strasbourg, the Opera de Rouen, the Theatre de Capitole du Toulouse, the Arena di Verona, the Scala of Milan, the Komische Oper Berlin, the Oper Stuttgart, the Oper Frankfurt, the Oper Köln, the Theater an der Wien, the Oper Zurich, the Korea National Opera, the Royal Opera in Stockholm, the Drottningholm Palace Theatre.
He has performed at major festivals including the Salzburg Festival, the BBC PROMS, the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro, the Bayreuth Baroque festival.
George Petrou has been a very active recording artist, having released over 27 titles, collaborating with the world's greatest recording companies, including Deutsche Gramophone, DECCA, MDG.
He has received an Echo Classic prize and was nominated for a Grammy award for the best opera recording.
He is honored as an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music, London (ARAM) and has been awarded the title of "Chevalier de l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres" from the French government.