The rich organ heritage of Gipuzkoa attracts young students from all five continents to take part in this course, which this year will be given by Michel Bouvard.
The course will be held from 4th to 8th August, mainly with the Cavaillé-Coll organ (1863) in Santa Maria del Coro basilica at San Sebastian, and will be given by Professor Michel Bouvard. Classes will be in the morning.
Michel Bouvard’s musical journey began in childhood, inspired by his grandfather Jean Bouvard, a Lyon organist, composer, and student of Louis Vierne. After completing his studies in Rodez and Paris, he furthered his education at Saint-Séverin, where he later served as principal organist for a decade. His career took off after winning First Prize at the International Competition of Toulouse in 1983. Upon succeeding Xavier Darasse at the Toulouse Conservatory in 1985, Bouvard became an influential advocate for the villa's musical heritage, collaborating with Willem Jansen to organize concerts, courses, and competitions. This partnership culminated in the creation of the Toulouse Les Orgues International Festival in 1996, which Bouvard directed for four years. From 1995 to 2021, he taught organ at the Conservatoire de Paris, alongside Olivier Latry, establishing a distinguished teaching partnership. He has served as principal organist of the historic Cavaillé-Coll organ at Saint-Sernin Basilica in Toulouse since 1996, and in 2010, was appointed as one of the four titular organists of the Royal Chapel at the Palace of Versailles.
Registration fees: for active students, 170 € (max. 12 students); for listeners, 130 €.
Registration can be done online on this website.
