Presentation
On Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 8:30 p.m., the Fontenay Abbey, a haven of serenity in Burgundy, will host Les Musiciens d’Europe for an evening where emotion and virtuosity intertwine. Under the baton of Félix Benati, the orchestra will take you on a journey through three major works, blending modernity and classicism.
The concert will open with the Cello Concerto No. 2 “Klātbūtne” by Pēteris Vasks, a captivating work where light and shadow converse. The soloist Pierre Fontenelle, renowned for his sensitivity and refined technique, will reveal its full spiritual depth. During the intermission, spectators can admire the cloister illuminated by 1200 candles, and then the evening will continue with Mozart's Symphony No. 29, a youthful gem where energy and elegance unfold with an intoxicating freshness. Finally, virtuosity and wit take center stage with Cello concerto in C by Joseph Haydn, to bring this program to a spectacular close.
Félix Benati, a passionate conductor, will be able to infuse each note with an intensity that has already captivated the most demanding audiences. Pierre Fontenelle, a renowned cellist, will bring a vibrant and memorable interpretation to Vasks and Haydn. Don't miss this unique moment, where the magic of this music will resonate in the exceptional setting of Fontenay Abbey.
Musical program
P. Vasks
Cello concerto n. 2
Klātbūtne
W. A. Mozart
Symphony 29
J. Haydn
Cello concerto in C
Spectators will be able to admire the Abbey cloister illuminated by 1200 candles during the intermission.
Prices and booking
| Category | Price |
|---|---|
| Gold square ticket, numbered seat | 45€ |
| Series 1. General Admission | 35€ |
| Young person (< 18 years old) | 18€ |
Book on helloasso.com
Musical director
Félix Benati
A conductor passionate about the voice and the repertoire of the 20th and 21st centuries, Félix Benati dedicates the majority of his musical activity to this genre. Winner of the 2024 International Jorma Panula Conducting Competition and finalist of the 2025 Donatella Flick Conducting Competition, he made a remarkable debut last April with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, stepping in at the last minute for Mikko Franck in La Mer by Debussy.
In 2025/2026 he conducted the Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire, the Orchestre National de Cannes, the Orchestre Philharmonique de Nice, the Vaasa City Orchestra, the Jyväskylä Sinfonia (Finland), and the Filarmonica de Stat Dinu Lipatti (Romania). He continues to explore the interplay between song and instrumental music, ranging from Salome by Strauss to Berio's Folk Songs Félix notably worked on works such as La Bohème by Puccini, Bartok's Bluebeard's Castle or La Voix Humaine by Poulenc alongside Michael Schonwandt, Kristiina Poska or Alexandre Bloch when he was assistant conductor at the French Youth Orchestra and the Lille National Orchestra from 2023 to 2025.
Soloist
Pierre Fontenelle
Cellist
Pierre Fontenelle is a young Belgian-American cellist pursuing a career as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral musician both in Belgium and internationally. Winner of the 2022 Breughel Competition (1st Prize, Audience Prize, Best Performance Prize), the 2020 Buchet Competition (2nd Prize "Van Hecke"), and the 2019 Edmond Baert Competition (1st Prize and Feldbusch Prize), Pierre was also principal cellist of the Royal Opera of Wallonia-Liège until 2022.
Since then, he has performed as a soloist in prestigious venues in Belgium and internationally, such as Flagey, the Queen Elisabeth Chapel, La Seine Musicale, the Taipei National Concert Hall, and the Shanghai Oriental Art Center. He has also been invited as a soloist by renowned ensembles, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of Liège, the Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra, Musiques Nouvelles, the Casco Phil, the Royal Band of the Guides, and the Grand Ducal Military Band.
