Six free concerts for the 150th birthday of composer Gustave Bret in the East Var
Paul Grando ([email protected]) Published on 09/10/2025 at 6:30 p.m., updated on 09/10/2025 at 6:30 p.m.
On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the birth of composer and conductor Gustave Bret, Estérel-Côte-d'Azur Agglomération is organizing, from September 26 to October 11, 2025, a unique cycle of six free concerts in the five municipalities of the territory.
Objective: "To revive the memory of this internationally renowned musician, by bringing together local artists and direct descendants of the master."
Born in Brignoles in 1875 and living for part of his life in Fréjus, Gustave Bret remains a major, but too little-known, figure in French music. Organist, composer, music critic, and founder of the J.-S. Bach Society in 1905, he played a decisive role in the dissemination of Bach's work and the promotion of musical heritage.
Six concerts throughout the country
From September 26 to October 11, six free concerts will be held in emblematic locations in the towns of the agglomeration*.
"These concerts will take place in heritage sites that are sometimes little-known. It's a way of combining music, memory and cultural tourism," emphasized Isabelle Pintus de Nicolas, head of community archives.
The Bret family at the heart of the tribute
A highlight of the event will be the participation of the musician's direct descendants. Éric Blanche, great-grandson, will sing with La Camerata Vocal and will also lend his voice to archival readings. His sister, Emmanuelle Blanche-Lormand, soprano soloist and violinist with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, will offer a recital of pieces by Gustave Bret, as well as Fauré, Ravel, and Poulenc.
"It is an honor for me to participate in this tribute and to see the considerable work accomplished to revive the work of my great-grandfather," confided Éric Blanche.
A memory to pass on
Beyond the musical aspect, the initiative is part of a process of memorial tourism and the promotion of local heritage. "We celebrate the beautiful, we celebrate the gentle in a troubled period. Gustave Bret sublimated his era, it is up to us today to perpetuate this memory," recalled Isabelle Pintus.
A series of conferences and archival readings will complete this program, offering residents and visitors the opportunity to discover the wealth of the collections preserved at the Villa Marie de Fréjus and the community archives.
Friday, September 26 at Saint-Léonce Cathedral in Fréjus (8 p.m.): inaugural concert by organist Emmanuel Arakélian, dedicated to Bach, Fauré, Guilmant and Widor, punctuated by archival readings by actress Magali Solignat and Éric Blanch
Saturday, September 27 at Parc de la Source, in Adrets-de-l'Estérel (5 p.m.), musical stroll with the folk ensemble La Miougrano de Fréjus, around Provençal music and airs.
Friday, October 3 , in the Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul church in Roquebrune-sur-Argens (7:30 p.m.), organ concert by Jérémie Noyer, Bach specialist, with readings allowing the work to be placed in the context of the J.-S. Bach Society founded by Gustave Bret.
Saturday, October 4 , at the Saint-François-de-Paule church in Fréjus (7:30 p.m.), voice and piano recital by Emmanuelle Blanche-Lormand, great-granddaughter of Gustave Bret, and Sophie Teulon. On the program: works by Bret, Duparc, Fauré, Chausson, Ravel, and Poulenc.
Friday, October 10 in the Notre-Dame-de-la-Victoire basilica in Saint-Raphaël (8 p.m.), organ concert by Michel Colin, around Franck, Dubois, d'Indy, Debussy, de Séverac and Widor, with readings by Éric Blanche.
Saturday, October 11th at the Saint-Jacques church in Puget-sur-Argens (7:30 p.m.), closing concert with La Camerata Vocal conducted by Adèle Pons, accompanied by Éric Blanche. Works by Bach, Mendelssohn and Bret.
A heritage conference will be given the same day at 2:30 p.m. at the Villa-Marie Media Library in Fréjus.
Var-Matin
