CENTRE DE MUSIQUE BAROQUE DE VERSAILLES - France

In the 17th and 18th century, French music spread throughout Europe, giving rise to a wealth of audacious new musical genres such as the air de cour, comédie-ballet, grand motet, petit motet and opéra comique. Lully, Rameau, Campra, and Charpentier, to name but a few, contributed to the extraordinary flourishing of the Arts during that period, enriching France’s cultural heritage. Following the French revolution and throughout the 19th century, however, this musical repertoire fell into neglect. Interest only rekindled with the arrival of Debussy and Saint-Saëns and the creation of the French school of Musicology in the 20th century, which heralded a baroque revival in the 1980’s, and the introduction of period instruments. The CMBV (Centre de musique baroque de Versailles) was set up in 1987 by Vincent Berthier de Lioncourt and Philippe Beaussant to spearhead this revival. The Hôtel des Menus-Plaisirs pools the resources to showcase and promote this precious 17th and 18th-century French musical legacy.

Conceived as a living laboratory for research, creation and interdisciplinary experimentation, the Studio baroque combines artistic excellence, historically informed performance practice and practical preparation for the music profession. It offers young performers the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of the French Baroque repertoire of the 17th and 18th centuries, while developing their autonomy, versatility and professional integration.

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The programme offers comprehensive and multidisciplinary training: vocal and instrumental technique, interpretation of the French sacred and secular vocal repertoire, declamation, gesture, Baroque theatre, research, publishing, outreach, production and dissemination. Participants benefit from a unique setting at the heart of the CMBV’s resources: the expertise of specialised researchers, teachers and artists, access to reconstructed historical instruments, scores, publications, and a professional network.

The first year takes the form of an intensive training programme in eight sessions, combining theoretical classes, practical workshops, experimentation, visits to resource venues and professional situations. The second year is devoted to professional integration, with auditions before conductors and artistic directors, preparation of promotional material, participation in paid projects and outreach activities.

Applications open: 1 June 2026
Application deadline: 8 July 2026
Auditions: 22–25 September 2026
Contact: studiobaroque@cmbv.fr
More information: www.cmbv.fr