Founded ten years ago in Prague by Collegium Marianum in partnership with the Centre de musique baroque de Versailles, the Akademie Versailles celebrates its 10th edition in 2026. This year, dedicated to Jean-Philippe Rameau, the academy brings together singers and instrumentalists from around the world, particularly from Central Europe, to discover or further develop their knowledge of the French Baroque repertoire under the guidance of specialists in the field.
Conceived as part of the international partnership between Collegium Marianum, the Summer Festivities of Early Music festival and the Centre de musique baroque de Versailles, the Akademie Versailles continues its mission in Prague: to share a passion for the French Baroque repertoire with young musicians eager to explore its stylistic characteristics and performance practices.
This 10th edition will give participants the opportunity to explore the richness of Jean-Philippe Rameau’s vocal and instrumental works while deepening their understanding of historically informed performance under the guidance of renowned specialists: viol player and conductor Vittorio Ghielmi, soprano Chantal Santon Jeffery, and musicologist Benoît Dratwicki.
As in previous years, the Akademie Versailles will bring together around forty student singers and instrumentalists for a week of intensive study. In 2026, two complementary masterclasses — Baroque orchestra and singing — will focus on Rameau’s music from both vocal and instrumental perspectives, before bringing all participants together for a final concert devoted to the composer, featuring Concerts en sextuor, cantatas and excerpts from his operas.
Programme
ACADEMY
21-25 October 2026
Prague conservatoire, Prague, Czech Republic
TEACHERS
Chantal Santon Jeffery, vocal
Benoît Dratwicki, declamation, rhetoric and pronunciation
Vittorio Ghielmi, musical direction
AKADEMIE VERSAILLES CLOSING CONCERT
25 October 2026 - 2pm
Prague conservatoire, Prague, Czech Republic
Jean-Philippe Rameau
Concerts en sextuor, cantates et extraits d’opéras
Duration: 1 hr 30 mins, no interval
