The vocal ensemble De Caelis is planning and organizing in 2026 the 5th edition of the REGARDS Musical Encounters in Domfront-en-Poiraie and the surrounding municipalities.
REGARDS offers concerts and moments of musical sharing within heritage sites, with the aim of promoting Medieval music, contemporary creation, and traditional music.
The voice — the voices of the world, the timeless and universal voice — is at the heart of our programme, and in this 2026 edition will reach both very young children and curious adults alike. An edition bathed in sunshine, crossed by seaside landscapes, the scents of oregano and olive oil, ouzo and lemon, inviting us to reconnect with Nature, a sense of well-being, and our emotions.
Several highlights from April to June 2026 will bring Domfront and its region to life, with workshops, impromptu performances, and a major concert weekend, bringing local partners, audiences, and residents on board in its vocal, musical, and poetic adventure.
A new feature this year: programmes for ages 0–5, with the Cocon lyrique programme touring in April through nurseries, maternity wards, and kindergartens in several municipalities around Domfront (St Pierre d’Entremont, Fresnes, Lonlay, Champ-secret, Flers), and My First Concert, from 6 months old, at the end of May in Domfront.
The programmed artists will showcase a great diversity of music:
– Baroque songs with the duo Parchemins
– Traditional Greek music with Navayo
– Portuguese fado with the duo of Chloé Breillot
– Medieval repertoire and new creation with De Caelis and their extraordinary guests, Les Chanteurs d’oiseaux
Friday 29/05, 8:00 pm – Notre-Dame-sur-l’Eau Church, Domfront-en-Poiraie
FADO DUO and other Lusophone songs | VOICE / GUITAR DUO
Songs of the Soul
An intimate evening under the sign of love and desire, absence and sorrow. With striking poetic power, Chloé Breillot sings the truth of popular songs from the blended tradition of fado, listed as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Saturday 30/05, 10:30 am – Media Library of Domfront-en-Poiraie
À LA VOLETTE | MY FIRST CONCERT
For the whole family from 6 months old
A gentle, dreamy, and melodic moment, made up of little medieval lullabies and songs from here and elsewhere, from yesterday and today, to experience your very first concert as a family.
Saturday 30/05, 9:00 pm – Municipal Theatre, Domfront-en-Poiraie
GREEK BAL
Let’s dance in the sunshine !
Traditional music, circle dances open to everyone, and lively rhythms led by the voice of Katerina Karagianni and the instrumental trio – laouto (Greek lute), clarinet, and percussion – await you to celebrate the warm and joyful conviviality of Greece!
And from 8:00 pm, come and learn a few steps during a dance workshop with dancer Ioanna Cael.
Sunday 31/05, 11:45 am – Cour Marie du Rocher, Domfront
OUR FREE AND JOYFUL SPIRITS | Aperitif Concert
Minimalist Baroque Music
Transcriptions of famous pieces from the era of the Sun King, popular dances, and fashionable songs come together in an intimate and refined programme that distills the very essence of Baroque aesthetics.
To be enjoyed over a friendly complimentary aperitif !
Sunday 31/06, 5:00 pm – Notre-Dame Church, Lonlay-l’Abbaye
FUNNY BIRDS
A Cabinet of Ornithological Curiosities
A joyful tribute to feathers in all their forms, where 14th-century pieces dialogue with the spectacular birdsongs of Johnny Rasse and Jean Boucault, virtuoso bird imitators !
First part: sharing of the “Polyphonies of the World” workshops by the OLENA choir.
THE REGARDS FESTIVAL ALSO INCLUDES…
- Music for very young children: in April, accompanied on the archlute by Diego Salamanca, singer Cécile Dalmon and her company Envibra’son present Cocon lyrique, a mini-recital for very young children, in five nurseries and kindergartens across the area. She will also breathe a few gentle notes into the ears of newborns and their parents at the maternity ward in Flers during a unique moment entitled Bulles musicales (Musical Bubbles).
- Music for all audiences: an impromptu musical event, in the form of a concert-meeting, is offered in April by Envibra’son at the Anaïs Home, a residential care home for people with disabilities in Domfront.
- Music with amateur performers: singer Chloé Breillot introduces the singers of Richard Berry’s Oléna choir to world polyphonies from March to May through a series of workshops.