BERNARD FOCCROULLE APPOINTED AS ADVISOR FOR THE 2025 EDITION

Following Pierre Audi’s unexpected death, the French State, the City of Aix-en-Provence, the Métropole Aix-Marseille-Provence, the Department of Bouches-du-Rhône and the Sud PACA Region, in agreement with Festival President Paul Hermelin, have re-affirmed their confidence in the Festival and appointed Bernard Foccroulle, who directed the Festival from 2007 to 2018, as advisor for the 2025 edition. He will support the Festival’s teams on artistic and managerial matters.

The sudden loss of Pierre Audi is a tremendous shock for the world of opera, and for the Festival d’Aix teams in particular.
I have fond memories of our extraordinary collaborations during his time as Director of the Dutch National Opera, and several of the productions he staged left an indelible mark on me. He was a visionary, both as an artist and as a leader of cultural institutions.
I learned of his death on the day it happened, and shortly thereafter I was invited to join the Festival teams to support them in realising this edition, which they had built around Pierre. I remain deeply attached to this Festival, which I directed from 2007 to 2018. I know the professionalism and remarkable dedication of the teams. I will be glad to stand with them in these tragic circumstances, and to help make the 2025 edition a fitting tribute to Pierre Audi.

Bernard Foccroulle