Menton Music Festival 2026: Full Programme of the 77th Edition

The 77th Menton Music Festival returns with an outstanding programme running from July 24 to August 7, 2026, bringing some of the world’s finest musicians to one of the French Riviera’s most iconic cultural events. Symphony concerts, piano recitals, chamber music performances and free open-air events will take place in Menton’s most picturesque venues, including the Parvis of the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel, the Palais de l’Europe, and the Esplanade des Sablettes.

Opening the festival on Friday, July 24, is the acclaimed German ensemble Ensemble Spark, presenting a free concert that blends classical music with contemporary influences.

Ensemble Spark Opens the Festival with “From Bach to the Beatles”

The opening concert, scheduled for 9:00 p.m. at the Esplanade des Sablettes, features “From Bach to the Beatles”, an original musical journey that bridges centuries of musical history.

Through innovative arrangements and contemporary interpretations, Ensemble Spark places the works of Johann Sebastian Bach alongside timeless songs by The Beatles, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. The programme includes beloved classics such as Blackbird, Norwegian Wood, Michelle, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, and Help!, creating an engaging dialogue between Baroque masterpieces and modern pop music.

Admission to the concert is free.

World-Class Artists at the Menton Music Festival

The 2026 edition brings together an exceptional line-up of internationally renowned performers.

Among the festival’s highlights are celebrated cellist Gautier Capuçon, performing with the Nice Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Lionel Bringuier; violin virtuoso Leonidas Kavakos with pianist Enrico Pace; the acclaimed baroque ensemble I Gemelli led by Emiliano Gonzalez Toro; and the closing piano recital by Alexandre Kantorow, one of the most distinguished pianists of his generation.

Alongside the evening concerts at the Basilica’s forecourt, the Palais de l’Europe will host chamber music performances, recitals, and concerts dedicated to emerging young artists.

Menton Music Festival 2026 Programme

Friday, July 24

• Ensemble Spark – From Bach to the Beatles
• 9:00 p.m. – Esplanade des Sablettes
• Free admission

Saturday, July 25

• Gautier Capuçon
• Nice Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Lionel Bringuier
• 9:00 p.m. – Parvis of the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel

Sunday, July 26

• Duo Jatekok
• 6:00 p.m. – Palais de l’Europe

Monday, July 27

• Laureates of the Gautier Capuçon Foundation
• 6:00 p.m. – Palais de l’Europe

Tuesday, July 28

• Neïma Naouri
• Pablo Campos
• The Amazing Keystone Big Band
• 9:00 p.m. – Basilica Forecourt

Wednesday, July 29

• Nicolas Altstaedt
• Ensemble Jupiter
• Thomas Dunford
• 9:00 p.m. – Basilica Forecourt

Thursday, July 30

• Concert Concertos
• 6:00 p.m. – Palais de l’Europe

Friday, July 31

• Fanny Azzuro
• Popaul Amisi
• 6:00 p.m. – Palais de l’Europe

Sunday, August 2

• Concert Concertos
• 6:00 p.m. – Palais de l’Europe

Monday, August 3

• Marie-Laure Garnier
• Célia Oneto Bensaid
• 6:00 p.m. – Palais de l’Europe

Tuesday, August 4

• Leonidas Kavakos
• Enrico Pace
• 9:00 p.m. – Basilica Forecourt

Wednesday, August 5

• Ensemble I Gemelli
• Emiliano Gonzalez Toro
• Maximiliano Danta
• 9:00 p.m. – Basilica Forecourt

Thursday, August 6

• Vassilena Serafimova
• Thomas Enhco
• 6:00 p.m. – Palais de l’Europe

Friday, August 7

• Alexandre Kantorow
• 9:00 p.m. – Basilica Forecourt

Alexandre Kantorow to Close the Festival

The 77th Menton Music Festival concludes on Friday, August 7, with a recital by acclaimed pianist Alexandre Kantorow, bringing to a close two weeks of exceptional performances in one of the French Riviera’s most spectacular settings.

Organised by the Menton Tourist Office, with the support of the Département des Alpes-Maritimes and the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region, the Menton Music Festival remains one of the Riviera’s premier cultural events, attracting music lovers from across Europe every summer.