Bardou
Bardou lies in the Parc Naturel du Haut Languedoc in the mountains near Montpellier in Southern France and is our special destination for those who appreciate the essentials of life. The accommodation is rustic but you will be rewarded with a unique setting of stunning scenery and tranquility. Consisting of twenty ancient stone houses, Bardou is an authentic example of the architecture and layout of a tiny medieval mountain hamlet.
Bardou is the perfect place for enjoying nature. Several marked trails offer short- or long-distance walks for all levels. You might also enjoy swimming in the refreshing waters of mountain streams with waterfalls and secluded deep rock pools.
A magical place. Learn more about Bardou, its history, about acommodation, the climate, what to discover around. Continue ...
Coming next in Bardou:
Symphonic Holiday
10th - 21st July 2024
Symphonic Holiday
28th May - 8th June 2025
Symphonic Holiday
9th - 20th July 2025
Symphonic Holiday
10th - 21st July 2024
Conductor: David Curtis
FRANZ SCHUBERT, Symphony No. 5
THEA MUSGRAVE, Night Music
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART, Symphony No. 40
Confirmed
The minimum group size was reached, for which reason this Symphonic Holiday is confirmed to go ahead.
Vacancies
We still have places for all strings and one oboe
Still available
You can book a house with private bath / toilette
This Symphonic Holiday in Bardou lasts two days longer than the other courses, giving plenty of room also for chamber music. As in previous years, an informal chamber concert will be arranged in Bardou if the participants would like to present what they have studied the days before.
For ever contemporary
"July‘s Symphonic Holiday in Bardou contains three masterpieces, Schubert’s genial Symphony No. 5 with its exquisite wind writing, the challenges of Thea Musgrave’s ‘Night Music’ and Mozart’s tempestuous Symphony No. 40. One of Mozart’s greatest works which I never tire of conducting and for string players a technical, physical and emotional workout! For anyone who thinks they ‘know’ this symphony, think again and join us in Bardou to explore Mozart’s dark and turbulent world."
For 25 years David Curtis has been principal conductor of the British chamber Orchestra of the Swan. In this time, he commissioned about 90 new works, most of them to be premiered by his orchestra. David has the scores of Musgrave’s Night Music on his shelves since long and now can’t wait to explore this music with you in Bardou.
David points out that Mozart’s music was contemporary at his times, but that still today Mozart can sound contemporary if we hear him with fresh ears. In that, Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 should not be comfortable but disturbing music. Musgrave will help us to hear Mozart with such contemporary ears. You can listen here to a recording of Night Music by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
10th JULY 2024
Arrival of the participants in Bardou
ON THE FOLLOWING DAYS,
We will have two rehearsals per day, the first one in the morning, the second rehearsal in the evening after an early dinner.
The coaches will be in Bardou on the three days with sectionals (12th, 13th and 14th July).
In the afternoons you can explore the surrounding of Bardou with your hiking boots, dare a refreshing swim in the rock pools of the mountain streams or just enjoy the peace and quiet of Bardou.
15th JULY
A day without rehearsals, allowing longer excursions that might include: An outing to the beautiful historical town of Pézenas; visiting and wine tasting at local vineyards in the Faugère and St Chinian area; an exciting canoeing excursion on the river Orb or a hiking tour through the wonderful Caroux-plateau with its great variety of flora and fauna and stunning scenery including view of the Pyrenees.
19th JULY
In the evening we will have our firstl concert in in the church Saint-Majan of Villemagne l’Argentière.
20th JULY
In the afternoon we will have our final concert in the city of Saint-Chinian in the church Notre Dame de la Barthe. Fare well dinner in Bardou
21st JULY
Departure
ORCHESTRA
Schubert: 1 2 0 2 — 2 0 0 0 — str
Musgrave: 1(pic)201 — 2000 — str
Mozart: 1 2 2 2 — 2 0 0 0 — str
TEAM
Conductor: David Curtis
Coach violin : Rodrigo Bauzá
Coach viola: Louis Merlet
Coach cello / double bass: Constance Ricard
Wind sectionals with David Curtis
GENERAL INFORMATION / FAQ
Please do also read our general information with frequently asked questions on Symphonic Holidays.
ACCOMMODATION
The participants will be accommodated in various houses of the hamlet in double rooms. A limited number of single rooms is available. The standard of the houses reflect the humble nature of the place in general. Please pay attention to the fact that toilettes and showers are located in central facilities of the village. We have one house (with two beds) available with private bath / toilette.
MEALS
We will take our meals together which are based on Mediterranean cooking with fresh regional products.
TRAVEL
The nearest airports and long distance train stations are Montpellier, Béziers and Toulouse. From here you have connecting trains or busses to Mons la Trivalle and Bédarieux. Pick up service to Bardou is provided (Bardou is not connected to public transport). Click here for detailed information. We are happy to help you with organizing your trip!
A magic place. Learn more about Bardou, its history, the infrastructure, about the climate, what to discover around. Continue ...
PRICE
1.060,- € (students: 690,- €) including accommodation and meals. Not included are travel expenses and expenses on excursions.
270,- € single room supplement
Supplement for house with private bath / toilette (with two beds): 250,- € each person
We can provide bedding (duvet/blanket, pillow, bed linen) and towels for 15,- €.
BOOKING
If you wish to book this Symphonic Holiday kindly use the booking form or send us an e.mail (mail@dacapo-travel.eu, writing in English, German, French or Italian). Your booking is binding as soon as we have confirmed it.
The reduced fee for students is limited to the number of five places on this Symphonic Holiday. Please send us an e.mail with a copy of your student id.
A non-refundable deposit of 150,- € is payable on confirmation that a booking has been accepted. The balance of the price is to be paid by 10th April 2024.
Minimum group size 30 participants. We might decide to cancel a programme if at any time up to three month before there were insufficient bookings. We would refund everything you had paid to us. We do not refund your travel expenses if you had booked your trip (for example flights or trains) prior to our confirmation of the programme.
Symphonic Holiday
28th May - 8th June 2025
Conductor: Cayenna Ponchione
Piano: Selim Mazari
EMILIE MAYER, Overture No. 2
ROBERT SCHUMANN, Piano concerto
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN, Symphony No. 7
28th May 2025
Arrival of the participants in Bardou
ON THE FOLLOWING DAYS,
We will have two rehearsals per day, the first one in the morning, the second rehearsal in the evening after an early dinner.
The coaches will be in Bardou on the three days with sectionals (30th May - 1st June).
In the afternoons you can explore the surrounding of Bardou with your hiking boots, dare a refreshing swim in the rock pools of the mountain streams or just enjoy the peace and quiet of Bardou.
2nd June
A day without rehearsals, allowing longer excursions that might include: An outing to the beautiful historical town of Pézenas; visiting and wine tasting at local vineyards in the Faugère and St Chinian area; an exciting canoeing excursion on the river Orb or a hiking tour through the wonderful Caroux-plateau with its great variety of flora and fauna and stunning scenery including view of the Pyrenees.
6th June
In the evening we will have our firstl concert in in the church Saint-Majan of Villemagne l’Argentière.
7th June
In the afternoon we will have our final concert in the city of Saint-Chinian in the church Notre Dame de la Barthe. Fare well dinner in Bardou
8th June
Departure
ORCHESTRA
Mayer: 2 2 2 2 — 2 2 0 0 — tmp — str
Schumann: 2 2 2 2 — 2 2 0 0 — tmp — str
Beethoven: 2 2 2 2 — 2 2 0 0 — tmp — str
TEAM
Conductor: Cayenna Ponchione
Coach violin: n.n.
Coach viola: Louis Merlet
Coach cello / double bass: n.n.
Wind sectionals with Cayenna Ponchione
GENERAL INFORMATION / FAQ
Please do also read our general information with frequently asked questions on Symphonic Holidays.
ACCOMMODATION
The participants will be accommodated in various houses of the hamlet in double rooms. A limited number of single rooms is available. The standard of the houses reflect the humble nature of the place in general. Please pay attention to the fact that toilettes and showers are located in central facilities of the village. We have one house (with two beds) available with private bath / toilette.
MEALS
We will take our meals together which are based on Mediterranean cooking with fresh regional products.
TRAVEL
The nearest airports and long distance train stations are Montpellier, Béziers and Toulouse. From here you have connecting trains or busses to Mons la Trivalle and Bédarieux. Pick up service to Bardou is provided (Bardou is not connected to public transport). Click here for detailed information. We are happy to help you with organizing your trip!
A magic place. Learn more about Bardou, its history, the infrastructure, about the climate, what to discover around. Continue ...
PRICE
1.060,- € (students: 690,- €) including accommodation and meals. Not included are travel expenses and expenses on excursions.
270,- € single room supplement
Supplement for house with private bath / toilette (with two beds): 250,- € each person
We can provide bedding (duvet/blanket, pillow, bed linen) and towels for 15,- €.
BOOKING
If you wish to book this Symphonic Holiday kindly use the booking form or send us an e.mail (mail@dacapo-travel.eu, writing in English, German, French or Italian). Your booking is binding as soon as we have confirmed it.
The reduced fee for students is limited to the number of five places on this Symphonic Holiday. Please send us an e.mail with a copy of your student id.
A non-refundable deposit of 150,- € is payable on confirmation that a booking has been accepted. The balance of the price is to be paid by 8th February 2025.
Minimum group size 30 participants. We might decide to cancel a programme if at any time up to three month before there were insufficient bookings. We would refund everything you had paid to us. We do not refund your travel expenses if you had booked your trip (for example flights or trains) prior to our confirmation of the programme.
Symphonic Holiday
9th - 20th July 2025
Concertmaster and violin solo: Rodrigo Bauzà
ASTOR PIAZZOLLA, Ouverture (arr. Rodrigo Bauzá)
PABLO DE SARASATE, Zigeunerweisen
CAMILLE SAINT-SAËNS, Introduction & Rondo capriccioso
CAMILLE SAINT-SAËNS, Symphony No. 2
Do we need a conductor?
The conductor's podium will be missing on our Symphonic Holiday in July in Bardou. This destination with its exclusive chamber orchestras has always been the terrain for special programs. In the end, it will depend on the participants if they let themselves rather conduct by Rodrigo Bauzá from his position of concert master, or if they manage to interact with him and all other players to the point of making this a real experience of chamber music, which of course is the aim. In part Rodrigo will be standing at the conductor's position, when playing the solo parts of this program.
9th July 2025
Arrival of the participants in Bardou
ON THE FOLLOWING DAYS,
We will have two rehearsals per day, the first one in the morning, the second rehearsal in the evening after an early dinner.
The coaches will be in Bardou on the three days with sectionals (11th - 13th July).
In the afternoons you can explore the surrounding of Bardou with your hiking boots, dare a refreshing swim in the rock pools of the mountain streams or just enjoy the peace and quiet of Bardou.
14th July
A day without rehearsals, allowing longer excursions that might include: An outing to the beautiful historical town of Pézenas; visiting and wine tasting at local vineyards in the Faugère and St Chinian area; an exciting canoeing excursion on the river Orb or a hiking tour through the wonderful Caroux-plateau with its great variety of flora and fauna and stunning scenery including view of the Pyrenees.
18th July
In the evening we will have our firstl concert in in the church Saint-Majan of Villemagne l’Argentière.
19th July
In the afternoon we will have our final concert in the city of Saint-Chinian in the church Notre Dame de la Barthe. Fare well dinner in Bardou
20th July
Departure
ORCHESTRA
2 2 2 2 — 2 2 0 0 — tmp — str
TEAM
Concertmaster, violin solo and coach: Rodrigo Bauzá
Coach winds: n.n.
Coach viola: Louis Merlet
Coach cello / double bass: Constance Ricard
GENERAL INFORMATION / FAQ
Please do also read our general information with frequently asked questions on Symphonic Holidays.
ACCOMMODATION
The participants will be accommodated in various houses of the hamlet in double rooms. A limited number of single rooms is available. The standard of the houses reflect the humble nature of the place in general. Please pay attention to the fact that toilettes and showers are located in central facilities of the village. We have one house (with two beds) available with private bath / toilette.
MEALS
We will take our meals together which are based on Mediterranean cooking with fresh regional products.
TRAVEL
The nearest airports and long distance train stations are Montpellier, Béziers and Toulouse. From here you have connecting trains or busses to Mons la Trivalle and Bédarieux. Pick up service to Bardou is provided (Bardou is not connected to public transport). Click here for detailed information. We are happy to help you with organizing your trip!
A magic place. Learn more about Bardou, its history, the infrastructure, about the climate, what to discover around. Continue ...
PRICE
1.060,- € (students: 690,- €) including accommodation and meals. Not included are travel expenses and expenses on excursions.
270,- € single room supplement
Supplement for house with private bath / toilette (with two beds): 250,- € each person
We can provide bedding (duvet/blanket, pillow, bed linen) and towels for 15,- €.
BOOKING
If you wish to book this Symphonic Holiday kindly use the booking form or send us an e.mail (mail@dacapo-travel.eu, writing in English, German, French or Italian). Your booking is binding as soon as we have confirmed it.
The reduced fee for students is limited to the number of five places on this Symphonic Holiday. Please send us an e.mail with a copy of your student id.
A non-refundable deposit of 150,- € is payable on confirmation that a booking has been accepted. The balance of the price is to be paid by 9th April 2025.
Minimum group size 30 participants. We might decide to cancel a programme if at any time up to three month before there were insufficient bookings. We would refund everything you had paid to us. We do not refund your travel expenses if you had booked your trip (for example flights or trains) prior to our confirmation of the programme.
Jonas Hees a fondé da capo orchestra & travel en 2016 avec Frédéric Tschumi. Violoncelliste amateur, il est aujourd’hui responsable de la gestion de da capo et de ses programmes. Chargé d’organiser la Sinfonietta à Bardou pendant plusieurs années, cette riche expérience lui a donné l’idée de développer et d´élargir le concept de vacances musicales à des musiciens amateurs. En tant que cuisinier passionné, il saura aussi mettre toute son attention pour vous proposer d’excellents repas durant vos vacances.
