Jean-Baptiste Doulcet, David Kadouch, Claire-Marie Le Guay, Jonas Vitaud
Biography Jean-Baptiste Doulcet, David Kadouch, Claire-Marie Le Guay, Jonas Vitaud
International Piano Festival at La Roque d'Anthéron
For more than 40 years, the International Piano Festival of La Roque d'Anthéron has established itself as an exceptional anchor point in the world musical and pianistic landscape.
For more than 40 years, the International Piano Festival of La Roque d'Anthéron has established itself as an exceptional anchor point in the world musical and pianistic landscape. Although the Festival's venues have been diversifying for several years, the Parc du Château de Florans remains the Mecca of these unclassifiable interviews where all types of creations are confronted: classical, contemporary... all styles: jazz, electronic... and all artists: young talents as well as the greatest international performers. The acoustic qualities of this stage, ideal for piano recitals as much as for concertos and other symphonies, only add to the charms of this mythical and magical garden, which carries the entire history of the Château de Florans.
THE BIG STORY... It was between 1598 and 1667 that the "petit Château" and then the "grand Château" were built under the impetus of the powerful de Forbin family and in large part by Annibal de Forbin Janson. In 1653, the seigneury of La Roque became a Marquisate. The Château remained the property of the Forbins until 1818, when the buildings and land were sold to Louis Raphaël de Cordoue, whose descendant married the Marquis de Florans, from a family originally from the Comtat Venaissin. It was thus during the 19th century that the Château de Forbin became the Château de Florans. The 20th century marked an important turning point in the destiny of the Château.
In 1937, the Marquise Marie de Florans, the last of her name and the only survivor of an era, bequeathed the property to the Archbishopric of Aix-en-Provence. A decade later, in 1948, Paul Onoratini rented and renovated the Château, which he very quickly transformed into a medical and dietary centre. He became the owner nine years later, thanks to his rigorous management and hard work. Over time, the Soleil et Repos Medical Centre became the current Château de Florans Clinic.
NOWADAYS... The Festival is the embodiment of an exceptional evolution, pursued in mutual trust between the artistic director René Martin and the Onoratini family. Paul Onoratini died in January 2010. In 2007, his son Jean-Pierre Onoratini took over the Presidency of the Festival. In 2014, Michel Onoratini became President in his turn. He was the delegate vice-president throughout his brother's presidency.
