On the Road: A Summer Tour for Cello8 and Ensemble Premières Scènes
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
A look back at an intense summer season performing across French festivals, combining artistic collaboration, exceptional venues, and intergenerational mentorship.
A Summer Driven by Audiences and Excellence
The summer of 2026 was marked by the success of Cello8 and Ensemble Premières Scènes, the two groups created by Talents & Violon’celles. From iconic festivals in the Marne region to the scenic landscapes of the Drôme, and out to the island setting of Villa Carmignac, our young virtuosos performed to enthusiastic, sold-out audiences at every stop.
The goal of both ensembles is to offer young talents supported by our endowment fund valuable stage experience while building their professional profile.
Two Visions, Two Repertoires
Created in 2021 by Talents & Violon’celles, the Cello8 octet explores the polyphonic richness of the cello. Positioned between a string quartet and a small chamber orchestra, this eight-piece ensemble allows themes to circulate from one instrument to another, creating a unique spatial and acoustic dynamic. This summer, their program “Voyages intérieurs et lointains” (Inner and Distant Journeys) explored both romantic poetry and operatic lyricism.
Founded in 2025, Ensemble Premières Scènes places intergenerational mentorship at the core of its identity. Depending on the repertoire, the ensemble invites established professional musicians (winds, strings, brass, keyboard, or continuo) to perform alongside young talents, offering them the chance to share the stage with renowned soloists — a crucial step for their career development and a guarantee of excellence for audiences.
« Watching our young musicians grow throughout these tours is immensely rewarding. Whether through the polyphonic intensity of Cello8 or the collaborative experience within Ensemble Premières Scènes alongside guest soloists, the stage remains the ultimate environment for uncovering talent. This summer showed just how much direct mentorship and working with exceptional instruments resonate with the public.» Raphaël Pidoux, Artistic Director
Highlights of the Tour
Ensemble Premières Scènes
May 30 – Beauvais International Cello Festival: A warm season opener just outside Paris, highlighted by a wonderful moment of musical collaboration with cellist Atsushi Sakai.
June 30 – Salle Colonne (Paris): An evening in Paris where the Ensemble performed alongside our three guest soloists: Anaïs Gaudemard (harp), Philippe Bernold (flute), and Gabriel Pidoux (oboe) before an enthusiastic audience.
July 12 – Mozart Festival in the Drôme: A stop dedicated to classical repertoire in the heart of the Drôme summer season.
July 25 – Vézère Festival: An intimate and welcoming concert moved indoors to the church to avoid stormy weather, providing ideal acoustics for the program.
Cello8
July 4 – Flâneries Musicales de Reims: A major outdoor concert that brought together a large crowd under the Reims sun.
July 6 – Concerts en Valognais (Yvetot-Bocage): A highly appreciated stop in Normandy, celebrating local heritage.
July 28 – Villa Carmignac (Porquerolles Island): A magical, timeless evening. Programmed in dialogue with the “Sea, Pop & Sun” exhibition, the concert took place under a near-full moon accompanied by the song of cicadas — which quietly paused to let the cellos take center stage.
Behind the Scenes: Tour Planning
While the magic happens on stage, it relies on methodical organization planned six months to two years in advance. The overall coordination, from outreach to festivals to complete logistical management (travel, accommodation, rehearsal schedules), is led by Inès Ferrand-Pérez, agent for both ensembles, and Elena Esper, General Delegate. On the ground, Inès travels across festivals to present the artistic vision of Talents & Violon’celles to programmers and venues. Raphaël Pidoux oversees the artistic direction of both ensembles and each performance.
« Organizing these tours is a human and logistical journey that requires long-term planning. My role is to build bridges between the artistic standards of our ensembles and the expectations of festival organizers across France. Performing to full houses and seeing the enthusiasm of both organizers and audiences at every step makes all the teamwork worthwhile. » Inès Ferrand-Pérez, Booking Agent
Are You a Festival or Venue Organizer?
Would you like to host Cello8 or Ensemble Premières Scènes for your upcoming season, or forward this opportunity to a presenter in your network?
Contact:
Inès Ferrand-Pérez – Booking Agent
+33 (07) 77 98 23 70 – ines@bande-passante.fr
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