Festival de Lanaudière: Classical Music’s Elite, Naturally

The Festival de Lanaudière returns in full force for its 48th edition with a remarkable lineup. As the largest open-air classical music festival in North America, the Festival is back this year with 25 concerts featuring over 1,000 local and international artists.

Set against the enchanting Fernand-Lindsay Amphitheatre at Place des Arts and some of the most beautiful venues across the Lanaudière region, the festival continues its mission to make classical music accessible to everyone—offering a unique immersive experience where artistic excellence meets the natural beauty of Quebec.

Stars from Home

Quebec’s homegrown talent will shine brightly during the 2025 edition.

The flamboyant Rafael Payare will kick off the festivities with a performance of Carmina Burana, followed by the powerful Monumental Bruckner concert. The acclaimed Yannick Nézet-Séguin, a long-time collaborator of the festival, will conduct two major concerts with the Orchestre Métropolitain.

First, on July 27, an explosive collaboration with virtuoso pianist Yuja Wang will celebrate the 150th anniversary of French composer Maurice Ravel’s birth. Then, the cherished child will return for the grand closing concert on August 3, presenting a preview of the “opera of operas”: Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde.

Elsewhere in the program, Les Violons du Roy, conducted by Bernard Labadie, invite us to a memorable evening on July 25, alongside Argentine cellist Sol Gabetta. The Quebec ensemble collectif9 will present a bold exploration of folk traditions and contemporary music.

New Faces

This year also marks the arrival of several prestigious new artists to the festival.

On July 13, for their first appearance at Lanaudière, Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer will take audiences on a journey through five centuries of choral music.

Then, on July 26, Argentine countertenor Franco Fagioli will make his Canadian debut, performing well-known arias with the Orchestre de l’Opéra Royal de Versailles.

Celebrated Returns

Several eagerly awaited return performances are also on the bill. Conductor Kent Nagano—undoubtedly one of the most iconic figures on Quebec’s music scene—will reunite with the OSM for two unmissable concerts on August 1 and 2.

On July 16, Leonardo García Alarcón and Cappella Mediterranea—back after their triumph in 2023—will present Monteverdi’s The Coronation of Poppea. And on July 19, the renowned Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin will offer a North American exclusive: a night dedicated to two Mendelssohn oratorios.

A Multifaceted Musical Experience

The churchs serie promises intimate and unique moments in six magnificent churches across the region. Highlights include a harpsichord dialogue between William Christie and Justin Taylor (July 30), the complete Beethoven cello and piano sonatas performed by Alisa Weilerstein and Inon Barnatan (July 15), and a striking interpretation of Shostakovich’s Preludes and Fugues by Yulianna Avdeeva (July 22).

A Culinary and Cultural Offering

The Festival also continues to offer exceptional culinary experiences. Attendees can enjoy gourmet picnics prepared by local chefs, showcasing the flavors of the Lanaudière terroir.

Accessibility and Community Engagement

Staying true to its mission of accessibility, the Festival is offering an expanded cultural outreach program this year. Free classical music introduction workshops will be available to families, and artist meet-and-greets will help audiences better understand the works performed. A new mentorship program will also allow young musicians from the region to benefit from the expertise of guest artists.

With all this talent assembled, the 2025 Festival de Lanaudière is set to be one of the cultural highlights of the summer! To experience this open-air musical adventure to the fullest, check out the full program.

July 4 to August 3, 2025.