Chant Commun (Open Singing)

You enter the Théâtre antique, impatient, surrounded by thousands of other enthusiasts. It’s 8:30 p.m., and you take your seats to experience a moment you’ve been waiting for for three years: the Chant commun of the Choralies. Every evening, the festival’s signature event brings together 4000 voices to form a huge, ephemeral choir.

From the moment the first notes rise under the direction of talented conductors, the magic happens. You plunge into a carefully selected repertoire, accessible to all, where everyone can enjoy themselves, whatever their level. As you sing, the voices blend and unite, creating a powerful harmony that envelops you. It’s much more than a simple rehearsal or performance: it’s a moment of sharing where everyone contributes to this unique musical fusion.

The “Chant commun” is one of the highlights of the festival, a suspended moment that precedes the evening’s grand concert. This experience, shared by several thousand voices, is a true celebration of collective music, and each participant emerges transformed, buoyed by the power of this rare and ephemeral moment.

Your conductors for 2025

Eléonore loves to explore vocal dynamics and the interactions between singers with her choirs. She holds a Diploma of National Professional Musician (DNSPM) in choral conducting and a Diploma of Musical Studies (DEM) in opera singing. Trained by Régine Théodoresco and Agnès Brosset, she is actively involved in arts education at the Opéra de Rennes and collaborates with institutions such as the Opéra-Comique, the Théâtre des Champs Élysées, and the Centre National Chorégraphique in Roubaix. Eléonore is the artistic director of the Mysterious Opus Company and teaches at music schools, working with singers from beginners to professionals. In 2022, she led two workshops at the Choralies festival.

Bassey Ebong, a singer, songwriter, and choir director, draws inspiration from gospel, traditional South African songs, jazz, pop, and classical music. After leading the Lagos Central Mass Choir, he founded the Bloom Gospel Choir in Paris, where he was the director for 10 years. Known for his ability to engage both beginners and experienced singers, Bassey creates inclusive and supportive environments. He has led workshops at the Choralies in 2019 and 2022 and regularly collaborates with choirs in France (Cepravoi, ARPA), the UK, and Spain. In addition to his work with choirs, Bassey composes for films and leads artistic and educational projects.

Mathieu Le Nestour is a singer, pianist, composer, arranger specialising in pop music, and vocal coach. He was a member of the Chœur National des Jeunes and has contributed to numerous albums, including Chansons et comptines de notre enfance, which was awarded a platinum disc in 2012. On stage, he has collaborated with artists like Slimane and Yoann Freejay. Winner of the 1st prize for composition in Tours in 2009, Mathieu co-founded Arcane Productions, a company that specialises in vocal team-building. Alongside Denis Thuillier, he forms the duo VoCA, which delivers workshops and masterclasses, including leading the Open singing at the Choralies in 2019 and 2022.

A common songbook is given to all participants registered for at least 3 days. It will also be available from the Choralies Boutique.

Discover the videos of Chant commun 2022, hosted by Denis Thuillier and Mathieu Le Nestour.