For over forty years, the Printemps des Arts de Monte-Carlo has tirelessly pursued its mission: to renew our understanding of the world by exploring centuries of music, navigating between eras and bringing continents closer together, while bringing together aesthetics and disciplines. Under the presidency of H.R.H. The Princess of Hanover, the 2026 edition opens a new chapter entitled "Utopias-opus 1".

When the instrument becomes the common thread

At the heart of the 2026 programme, the musical instrument is the real guide: an invitation to listen in a different way, following the timbres, gestures and materials. This year's edition is all about instrumental diversity, from the duduk to the ondes Martenot, from gut strings to the "virtual oboe".

The Danel and Mosaïques quartets confront gut strings and metal strings, curved bows and straight bows, while Les Ambassadeurs ~ La Grande Écurie bring harpsichord and fortepiano together in concertos by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the Bach family.

Encounters between the arts: music, painting and dance

The spirit of encounters - so dear to the festival - is expressed throughout this festival "marked by the plurality of the Arts": paintings by Yves Millecamps accompany the programme, and dance is invited with choreographies performed by the Ballets de Monte-Carlo.

In an interview with Bruno Mantovani, Yves Millecamps also talks about the central role played by music in his life as an artist, and the parallels he draws between colours, the "sound canvas" and the organisation of matter.

New for 2026: a festival that commands, creates and surprises

After a 2025 edition dedicated to Pierre Boulez, Printemps des Arts will continue this legacy with a large number of commissions for contemporary artists. Among the new works expected: the Concerto for piano and orchestra by Marc Monnet (former director of the festival), announced as a highlight of the edition, under the fingers of Jean-Frédéric Neuburger.

The spirit of creation runs through the programme: the festival will be showcasing a piano show devised for the occasion by Claudine Simon, scores dedicated to the oboe by François Salès as part of the "grande battle" on 13 March, and new works giving new resonances to lauds from the 13th and 14th centuries. Finally, the festival is announcing four new 'miniatures' produced with the Ballets de Monte-Carlo.

Highlights not to be missed

The 2026 edition of the Festival is like an itinerary. Here are some of the highlights of the festival in Monaco.

A concert in an unexpected place On Sunday 15 March at 11am, the Collection of Cars of H.S.H. the Prince of Monaco welcomes Vincent David (saxophone) and Éric-Maria Couturier (cello). A moment designed as an exploration of instrumental material, where timbre, breath, vibration and resonance become the heart of the musical proposition.
The clash of strings Through the confrontation of instruments and gestures (gut/metal, curved/straight bows), the Danel and Mosaïques quartets open up a fascinating listening laboratory. Their meeting is scheduled for 29 March at the Hôtel Hermitage.
An echo of the Boulez year: from 2 March to 6 April, the installation "Memoriale. Pierre Boulez, Master of Time" installation at the Auditorium Rainier III features a hologram of the composer, in collaboration with Monaco's Institut Audiovisuel.
A world premiere conclusion, between music and dance From 16 to 19 April, Miniatures will bring together the Ballets de Monte-Carlo and the Ensemble Orchestral Contemporain at the Opéra de Monte-Carlo. Four pieces are announced as world premieres (commissioned by the festival) and the first performance is followed by an on-stage discussion with the composers.

Experience the festival differently: before, after and backstage

Printemps des Arts de Monte-Carlo can be discovered beyond the concerts: before (meetings), round tables, masterclasses, screenings, backstage immersions and guided rehearsals are all part of the programme, often with advance booking. These are just some of the ways in which you can listen in greater depth, understand the choices made in performance and extend the experience of a Monte-Carlo concert.

Practical information

The 2026 Monte-Carlo Printemps des Arts Festival runs from 11 March to 19 April 2026.

Tickets can be booked at the ticket office (Atrium du Casino de Monte-Carlo - Service billetterie), Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5.30pm, or online at the Festival Printemps des Arts Monte-Carlo website.