New director and new “music and heritage” direction

In Beaune (France), the International Baroque Opera Festival is reinventing itself while staying true to the keys to its success.

Maximilien Hondermarck has taken the reins of the International Baroque Opera Festival in Beaune, bringing it new energy while remaining faithful to what has made the festival a success: its unique setting, the diversity of its programming, and the Burgundian conviviality.

A new direction true to the spirit of the festival

Trained in vocal studies at the CRR of Paris and holding a Master’s degree in Public Affairs from Sciences Po Paris, Maximilien Hondermarck has worked at the Banque de France, at the organization of the Corneille Competition dedicated to baroque singing in Normandy, and more recently in the office of the Director General for Heritage and Architecture at the Ministry of Culture. Drawing on these experiences, he won over the board of directors with his ambitious project for the Beaune Festival and was appointed director in 2024, prevailing over 17 other candidates in the public recruitment competition. For Maximilien Hondermarck, the International Baroque Opera Festival of Beaune is one of the unmissable events for anyone who loves this repertoire. Founded in 1982 by Anne Blanchard and her husband Kader Hassissi, who recently passed away, the festival has been the site of unforgettable performances: from exceptional appearances by René Jacobs or Andreas Scholl to the early debuts of Christophe Rousset or Raphaël Pichon…

By participating in the 2024 edition in preparation for his transition with Anne Blanchard, the young director recalls being struck by the audience’s attentiveness, its knowledge and genuine interest in the given repertoire—confirming the intuition he had when applying for the position of artistic director. Convinced of this potential, he wants to inject fresh momentum into the festival. Among his projects are plans to include more young talents in the programming and to emphasize the extra-musical dimension of the event: the Burgundian conviviality and the rich heritage of the city of Beaune. As he proudly announces, this new edition will open doors rarely accessed by the public. Three exceptional new venues will host concerts: the Chapelle des Visitandines, the Chapelle de la Charité and the Chapelle des Jacobins—ideal for presenting more intimate repertoires, in contrast to the Cour des Hospices and the Basilica. “The whole city of Beaune breathes art and history: many former convents have shaped this unique heritage. The festival can attract an audience drawn both to our programming and to this exceptional historic setting, since 60% of our audience comes from outside the region.”