logo

Bardou

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
29th May - 9th June 2024

Symphonic Holiday
10th - 21st July 2024

Symphonic Holiday
29th May - 9th June 2024

Conductor: Cayenna Ponchione

FANNY HENSEL, Overture in C
EMILIE MAYER, Symphony No. 1
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN, Symphony No. 1

Confirmed
The minimum group size was reached, for which reason this Symphonic Holiday is confirmed to go ahead.

Vacancies
We still have places for violin, viola, cello, bassoon, horn, timpani

Two women composers are portrayed in Bardou: Fanny Hensel, sister of Felix Mendelssohn, with her Overture in C, and composer of the same times Emilie Mayer with her Symphony No. 1. Contemporaries called Emilie Mayer the "female Beethoven". Nevertheless, as a woman, she had to fight all her life for her works to be played and printed in public. The first symphony of the male Beethoven will conclude this programme.

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.

29th MAY 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.

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.

3rd 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.

7th JUNE
In the evening we will have our firstl concert in in the church Saint-Majan of Villemagne l’Argentière.

8th 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

9th JUNE
Departure

ORCHESTRA
2 2 2 2 — 2 2 0 0 — tmp — str
The minimum instrumentation in the strings will be 4-4-3-3-1, maximum (due to the limited space in the rehearsal hall) 5-5-4-4-1.

TEAM
Conductor: Cayenna Ponchione
Coach violin : Alexandre Pascal
Coach viola: Louis Merlet
Coach cello / double bass: Adriano Ancarani
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 28th February 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
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, oboe, bassoon

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 (14th, 15th and 16th 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.