Photo : Ecole Cortot
Animalia Family Concert: The Carnival of the Animals - Hôtel de la Marine
Forget the usual museum visit and step into a musical zoo where classical masterpieces bring tales to life. It is the perfect opportunity to introduce the kids to the elegance of piano and strings in a venue that feels straight out of a storybook.
Hôtel de la Marine (Paris 8th)
About
On November 7, 2026, the Hôtel de la Marine hosts a family concert inspired by the Animalia exhibition of the Al Thani Collection. Designed in collaboration with the École normale de Musique de Paris, this performance features Daniel Strasberg and the Arco Iris ensemble presenting works by Maurice Ravel and Camille Saint-Saëns. Children aged 6 and up are invited to discover a musical bestiary through the sounds of piano and string quartet. The concert lasts one hour, from 10:00 to 11:00. While admission is 9 € for adults, the event is free for all visitors under the age of 18.
Presentation
Designed with the École normale de Musique de Paris – Alfred Cortot, this concert is part of the "Animals in Music" series, created in echo to the exhibition "Animalia. Bestiary of the Al Thani Collection".
For centuries, animals have fueled the imagination of composers. Their songs, movements, evocative power, or symbolic dimension inspire works of great richness, blending poetry, fantasy, and virtuosity.
Designed for families, this second concert invites young and old to discover two iconic works from the repertoire, as beautiful as they are accessible: Mother Goose by Maurice Ravel and The Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saëns. A musical journey full of poetry, humor, and imagination, where tales, animals, and characters come to life through music.
With:
Daniel Strasberg & ensemble Arco Iris, piano and string quartet.
Program
"The Carnival of the Animals"
Daniel Strasberg & the Arco Iris Ensemble
piano and string quartet
Maurice Ravel (1875–1937)
Mother Goose
Version for solo piano by Jacques Charlot
Pavane of the Sleeping Beauty
Tom Thumb
Laideronnette, Empress of the Pagodas
Conversations of Beauty and the Beast
The Enchanted Garden
Camille Saint-Saëns (1835–1921)
The Carnival of the Animals
Introduction and Royal March of the Lion
Hens and Roosters
Wild Asses (Swift Animals)
Tortoises
The Elephant
Kangaroos
Aquarium
Characters with Long Ears
The Cuckoo in the Depths of the Woods
Aviary
Pianists
Fossils
The Swan
Finale
Our take on this event
The Hôtel de la Marine welcomes families for a special musical morning dedicated to the animal world. This performance, part of the Animalia cycle, showcases the poetic and humorous connection between composers and nature. Audiences will enjoy Maurice Ravel's Ma Mère l’Oye and Camille Saint-Saëns' famous Le Carnaval des animaux, performed by Daniel Strasberg on piano and the Arco Iris string quartet. The program promises a vivid journey through musical depictions of various creatures, from the elegant swan to the agile kangaroo.
The concert takes place on Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:00. It is suitable for children starting from 6 years old. Tickets are priced at 9 € for adults, and admission is free for attendees under 18 years of age. This event offers a perfect opportunity for families to explore classical repertoire within a historic Parisian setting at the Place de la Concorde.
