Photo : @CMA7
The Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saëns
The Erik Satie Conservatory and its professors have the pleasure of inviting you to participate in the concert "The Carnival of the Animals" by Camille Saint-Saëns, on Wednesday, December 9 at 6:30 PM at the MPAA-Saint Germain.
Paris 6th
About
With The Carnival of the Animals, Camille Saint-Saëns offers a series of short musical tableaux, each dedicated to a real or imaginary animal.
The work allows you to discover how instruments can tell a story without words: the piano becomes a bounding feline, the strings imitate the heavy steps of an elephant, the flute makes birds fly, and the xylophone makes the bones of a skeleton resonate in the famous "Fossils".
Originally conceived as a fun piece for a circle of musician friends, this work is today a classic for young audiences. It offers a first approach to the orchestra, its instrument families, and how a composer plays with rhythms, timbres, and melodies to create sonic images.
This program invites children to listen, observe, and feel the music, while discovering the creativity and humor of a great French composer.
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With the participation of conservatory professors:
- Georgios Nikolaïdis: Flute
- Capucine PrIn: Oboe
- Camille Rocher: Bassoon
- Jean-Charles Gasparetto: French horn
- Suliac Maheu: Double bass
- Matthieu Chardon: Percussion
- Felix Pruvost: Narrator
Attention! Reservation is mandatory.
By email at dac-cma7communication@paris.fr or via the reservation form.
A confirmation email will be sent to you by the conservatory after your reservation request is validated.
Our take on this event
Forget about stuffy concert halls and get ready to explore a vibrant musical menagerie that perfectly blends wit with melody. This interactive performance turns classical music into a lively game, using every instrument to paint a unique animal portrait that will delight listeners of all ages.
On Wednesday, December 9, 2026, the MPAA/Saint-Germain presents Camille Saint-Saëns' The Carnival of the Animals. This musical suite invites audiences to discover how various instruments, from the piano to the xylophone, vividly depict the characteristics of real and imaginary creatures. Designed as an accessible introduction to the orchestra and its distinct instrument families, this performance highlights the wit and creativity of the French composer. The event runs from 18:30 to 19:45 and is free of charge. Please note that advance booking is mandatory to attend this session, which serves as an engaging musical experience for young listeners.
Join us on December 9, 2026, at the MPAA/Saint-Germain for a captivating performance of The Carnival of the Animals. Running from 18:30 to 19:45, the concert demonstrates how music can narrate stories without words, using the flute, oboe, bassoon, horn, double bass, and percussion to recreate the movements of elephants, birds, and other figures.
This educational program features performances by conservatory professors, including Georgios Nikolaïdis, Capucine Prin, Camille Rocher, Jean-Charles Gasparetto, Suliac Maheu, Matthieu Chardon, and narrator Felix Pruvost. It provides a unique opportunity for young people to observe and feel the interplay of rhythm, timbre, and melody in a professional setting.
Attendance is free, but reservations are required for all guests. Once your request is processed, the conservatory will send a confirmation email to finalize your booking.
