Photo : Shani Diluka
Beethoven Bicentennial Celebration
Forget the stiff atmosphere of traditional evening concerts and opt for a refreshing musical awakening this Sunday. You are invited to a blend of masterly piano sonatas and spoken-word literature within a stunning architectural gem. It is a rare chance to experience high-caliber performance in a format that feels both profoundly intimate and widely accessible.
Théâtre du Châtelet (Paris 1st)
About
On Sunday, January 10, 2027, the Théâtre du Châtelet hosts a special morning tribute to Ludwig van Beethoven. Moving away from traditional evening formats, this one-hour concert features a unique blend of chamber music, poetry readings, and philosophical insight. With performances by violinist Sayaka Shoji and pianist François-Frédéric Guy, accompanied by readings from Charles Berling, the event showcases the Waldstein and Kreutzer sonatas. The venue is fully accessible to blind or visually impaired guests, and ticket prices range from 5 to 35 euros, offering an accessible way to experience classical music in the heart of Paris.
“We are in the inconceivable, but with dazzling reference points.”
René Char,Conceived as an alternative to the concert outing, usually scheduled for the evening or afternoon but never before three o'clock, the Sunday Morning Concerts offer an off-the-beaten-path format for the whole family. In keeping with the “Châtelet spirit,” featuring programming that is demanding, eclectic, and popular, these events are built around a simple and accessible format: one hour of music, without intermission, punctuated by an introduction and a reading that alternates between poetry, literature, and philosophy.
Placed under the patronage of a personality from the world of art or literature, the Sunday Morning Concerts are conceived as an original musical moment, where renowned performers engage in a dialogue between the arts and society, for an approach to the concert that is sensitive, informed, and enlightened.
For this second edition at the Théâtre du Châtelet, the programming is structured around four events, ranging from the chamber music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to the solo cello works of Johann Sebastian Bach, including a tribute to Ludwig van Beethoven and a look at the solo piano repertoire of the 19th and 20th centuries. This program emphasizes contemplation and reflection, with an accessible approach for everyone. Underpinning this, and as suggested by the excerpt from the letter written by the poet and resistance fighter René Char to his friend Francis Curel during the Second World War, the Sunday Morning Concerts are, first and foremost, an invitation to ecstasy, within the beautiful setting of the Grande Salle of the Théâtre du Châtelet.
Program
Introduction and poetry reading by Charles Berling
Violin Sayaka Shoji
Piano François-Frédéric Guy
Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 21 in C major, op. 53, known as the “Waldstein”
Violin Sonata No. 9 in A major, op. 47, known as the “Kreutzer Sonata”
Our take on this event
Join us at the Théâtre du Châtelet on January 10, 2027, for a morning dedicated to the genius of Ludwig van Beethoven. From 11:00 to 12:00, the Grande Salle transforms into a space for artistic reflection, offering a seamless hour of music without an intermission, designed to provide a contemplative start to your Sunday.
The program features actor Charles Berling, who will open the session with poetry readings, setting the stage for two iconic masterworks. François-Frédéric Guy will perform the Piano Sonata No. 21 in C major, 'Waldstein', before joining violinist Sayaka Shoji to interpret the Violin Sonata No. 9 in A major, 'Kreutzer'.
This event is designed for all audiences and includes specific accessibility features for blind or visually impaired attendees. Tickets are priced between 5 and 35 euros. By combining refined musical performance with literary elements, the Théâtre du Châtelet offers a sophisticated yet accessible cultural experience in its historic setting.
