Ensemble Contraste

What happens when scholarly music meets popular music?

The result is a delicious contrast in the name of this ensemble, founded in 2000 and made up of virtuoso classical artists who have graduated from major institutions and prestigious international competitions.

Decomposing classical music, mixing genres and provoking surprise with original concerts: this is the very nature of the ensemble. The cult of friendship, the diversity and spontaneity of the musicians, and the search for its own musical arrangements all contribute to an original, demanding programme that is accessible to everyone, from baroque and classical music to tango, musical comedy, jazz and contemporary creation.

From Classic Tango, which has played all over the world, to the musicals The Fairy Queen (2015), Joséphine Baker (2016), Georgia - Tous mes rêves chantent (2017), Schubert in Love (2020), Les Choses de la Vie (2021) and its latest creation Rêves (2024) with singer Emily Loizeau, The productions and discography of this collective of versatile, committed and talented musicians have been unanimously acclaimed by the critics (Diapason d'Or, Choc Classica, RTL d'Or, Diamant Opéra, Coup de coeur FNAC, selection Mezzo, Radio Classique, France Inter. ..).

Under the artistic direction of Arnaud Thorette and the musical direction of Johan Farjot, Ensemble Contraste performs at the major French and European festivals and venues, and is based in the Hauts-de-France region, where it is in residence at the Théâtre Monsigny in Boulogne-sur-Mer. Contraste regularly collaborates with personalities from a wide range of backgrounds: mezzo-soprano Karine Deshayes, countertenor Philippe Jaroussky, composer Karol Beffa, sopranos Magali Léger, Sandrine Piau, Jodie Devos, as well as Rosemary Standley, Albin de la Simone, Emily Loizeau...

Convinced that artists should be part of the social fabric, Ensemble Contraste runs a wide-ranging outreach programme aimed at music lovers of all ages in rural areas of the Hauts-de-France region. Working in partnership with secondary schools, special education centres and associations, it offers multi-disciplinary artistic workshops leading to the creation of participatory shows. Since June 2023, it has been directing the new travelling festival Concerts à la ferme, which offers concerts at the heart of farms in the Aisne and Oise départements.

Contraste is a member of FEVIS (Fédération des Ensembles Vocaux et Instrumentaux Spécialisés), a member of SCPP (Société civile des producteurs phonographiques) and SACEM (Société des auteurs, compositeurs et éditeurs de musique).

February 2024