Place for Artists: "Musical evenings at the castle of Rixensart"

Thanks to the support of the municipality of Rixensart and the province of Walloon Brabant with the "Place aux artistes" operation, 2026 will mark the 6th edition of the Musical Evenings at the Château de Rixensart. Presented by the non-profit organization Festival Est-Ouest and Fondation Merode-Rixensart, this festival offers three major classical music concerts, notably showcasing artists from Walloon Brabant. In the magnificent setting of the inner courtyard of the Château de Rixensart, the public will be able to discover classical music concerts accessible to all. The exceptional acoustics of this courtyard are ideally suited to this type of event: it allows for a large audience, while its galleries offer shelter in case of rain. In addition to the concerts, spectators will also have the opportunity to book a guided tour of the castle, a heritage emblem of Walloon Brabant. In case of bad weather, the concerts will be held in the Sainte-Croix church, next to the castle. Monday, August 17: DON QUIXOTE By the artists in residence at the Music Chapel, Reine Elisabeth Les singers take you on an adventure with Don Quichotte. Mezzo-soprano Marion Vergez-Pascal and bass-baritone Oleg Volkov bring this classic to life with great theatricality and joy of performance, making the concert suitable for children and their parents alike. Accompanied by pianist Kira Parfeevets, they give a colorful voice to the legendary knight of La Mancha, full of passion, humor, and courage. The highlight is Don Quichotte de Jules Massenet, where singing and theatrical expression go hand in hand. Also featuring works by Maurice Ravel and Jacques Ibert, attend a warm show accessible to the whole family. A perfect opportunity to dream, laugh, and discover the magic of classical music with your children! Wednesday, August 19: MOZART AND SAINT-SAËNS CONCERTOS Par Marie Lagaditis, flute, Héloïse de Jenlis, harp, Axel de Jenlis, cello, and the Fondation Arthur Grumiaux orchestra under the direction of Luc Dewez The Fondation Arthur Grumiaux Orchestra, under the direction of Luc Dewez, accompanies three soloists from Walloon Brabant in works by Mozart and Saint-Saëns: flutist Marie Lagaditis, harpist Héloïse de Jenlis, and cellist Axel de Jenlis. The program highlights two great pages of the concert repertoire. Le Concerto for flute and harp by Mozart opens the evening with luminous writing, based on the dialogue between the two solo instruments and the orchestra. In the second part, the Premier Concerto for cello by Saint-Saëns reveals all the expressive power of the cello. By turns lyrical, passionate, and virtuosic, this intense work creates a dialogue between the soloist and the orchestra in a musical momentum full of contrasts. Created at the initiative of Fondation Baron Arthur Grumiaux, the orchestra is part of the desire to perpetuate the artistic legacy of the great Belgian violinist and to support young performers. Founded in 2016, it brings together young soloists and professional musicians around demanding programs. The artistic direction has been entrusted to Luc Dewez, cellist and member of Trio Grumiaux, who shapes its musical work with rigor and fidelity to styles. Invited to numerous festivals and concert venues in Belgium, the Fondation Arthur Grumiaux Orchestra now occupies a recognized place in the Belgian musical landscape. Programme  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Concerto for flute and harp in C major, K. 299 Camille Saint-Saëns: Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor, op. 33 Distribution Orchestre of the Fondation Arthur Grumiaux Direction: Luc Dewez Flûte: Marie Lagaditis Harpe: Héloïse de Jenlis Violoncelle: Axel de Jenlis Samedi August 22: LORENZO GATTO AND ASHOT KHACHATOURIAN PLAY BEETHOVEN, BRAHMS, AND CHOPIN in tribute to the violinist Alexey Moshkov Lorenzo Gatto is one of the most noted Belgian violinists of his generation. Revealed at the Concours Reine Élisabeth, he leads an international career while remaining deeply attached to Walloon Brabant, where he resides. His artistic approach is marked by great sincerity, which he summarizes himself as follows: "For me, music is an expression of human fragility." At his side, Ashot Khatchatourian, a pianist of Armenian origin, has distinguished himself on the international stage with his expressive playing and musical sensitivity. Trained notably at the Chapelle Musicale Reine Élisabeth, he is a sought-after partner in chamber music. Together, they offer a program bringing together two great works of the repertoire for violin and piano. La Sonate No. 8 by Beethoven, lively, elegant, and full of momentum, opens the evening. La Sonate No. 2 by Brahms then brings a more lyrical and warm color, where all the tenderness and passionate momentum of the composer are expressed. Piano pieces by Chopin will complete this program. Programme Ludwig van Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 8 in G major, op. 30 No. 3 Frédéric Chopin: Piano pieces Johannes Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 2 in A major, op. 100 Practical information Paid by reservation: https://www.soireesmusicales-rixensart.com/billets Concert at 6:30 PM. Castle tours start at 5:30 PM. Please arrive 10 minutes in advance On-site parking" ]}