The Play Bach Festival returns to Draguignan from May 7th to 19th for its 16th edition, open to all audiences with concerts, choirs, and dance.
The city of Draguignan is gearing up to resonate once again with the sounds of classical music with the grand return of the Play Bach Festival. For its 16th edition, this major cultural event, co-organized by the municipality and Théâtres en Dracénie, will take place from May 7th to 19th, 2026. True to its mission, the festival aims to bring together music lovers of all levels, highlighting the timeless work of Johann Sebastian Bach, while exploring bold and contemporary artistic horizons.
This new edition promises to be a must-see cultural event in Dracénie this spring, promising to transform the city into a true open-air stage. The goal remains unchanged: democratize access to classical music and create bridges between eras and audiences.
An eclectic and accessible program
The heart of the festival lies in its ability to blend tradition and modernity. This year’s program perfectly illustrates this intention with a rich and varied artistic offering. Audiences can enjoy chamber music concerts, choir performances showcasing the sacred dimension of Bach’s work, as well as dance performances offering a bodily and visual interpretation of baroque compositions.
The major innovation of this 16th edition is a deliberate foray into contemporary music, including an evening titled “Electro Bach”. This concept promises a daring fusion between the German composer’s repertoire and contemporary electronic sounds, a unique sensory experience designed to attract a new generation of spectators and once again prove the universality of his music.
Three iconic venues for a musical immersion
To accommodate this diverse program, the festival will take place in three iconic locations in Draguignan, each offering a distinct atmosphere. The Esplanade Theatre, a nationally recognized stage, will host major concerts and performances, providing optimal acoustics and technical conditions.
Saint-Michel Church, with its historical setting and solemnity, will beautifully lend itself to sacred music concerts and choral performances, allowing for a profound immersion into the spirituality of Bach’s work. Lastly, the unexpected choice of Léo Lagrange Stadium hints at larger-scale events or original formats, possibly outdoors, highlighting the festival’s commitment to breaking away from convention and reaching out to all audiences.
An event supported by the City and Théâtres en Dracénie
This renewed partnership between the City of Draguignan and the cultural structure Théâtres en Dracénie demonstrates a shared commitment to artistic excellence and cultural access for all residents of the region. By joining forces, the two entities ensure the continuity and development of a festival that has established itself over the years as a benchmark. The complete program, invited artists, and ticketing information will be officially presented to the press on the upcoming Tuesday, April 28th, and subsequently communicated to the general public.
