ULYSSES ENSEMBLE TOUR 2026

Each year, the ULYSSES Ensemble is formed anew. Young musicians living in Europe are hosted by academies and festivals as they rehearse and perform in several countries across the ULYSSES network. 

In 2026, the ULYSSES Ensemble tours in June to Milan (Divertimento Ensemble) and Paris (IRCAM ManiFeste Festival) and in October to Barcelona (Festival Mixtur).

The ULYSSES Ensemble 2026 consists of 8 musicians: 1 flute, 1 oboe, 1 clarinet, 1 tenor, 1 piano, 1 percussion, 1 violin, 1 viola, 1 cello. 

STOP 1 - MILAN

More details soon.

STOP 2 — MANIFESTE-2026

Sunday, June 14 — Sunday, June 21, 2026 @Paris (France)

Concert on Saturday, June 20, 2026 in CENTQUATRE-PARIS

Educational Advisors: Pierre Bleuse (conductor) and soloists from the Ensemble intercontemporain (tutors)

As part of the academy ManiFeste-2026, French conductor and musical director of the Ensemble intercontemporain, Pierre Bleuse leads a master class for both the ULYSSES Ensemble and the NEXT ensemble (from Conservatoire de Paris), with the complicity of soloists from the Ensemble intercontemporain who tutor the young musicians. They work on two pieces from contemporary repertoire, Stefano Gervasoni’s Fado Errático and Unsuk Chin Gougalōn. Scenes from a Street Theater, which young instrumentalists perform side by side with NEXT ensemble and the Ensemble intercontemporain. Besides, the 8 musicians from the ULYSSES Ensemble reruns Anne Castex’s new work premiered in Paris on June 20, this time under Pierre Bleuse baton. In addition, young instrumentalists of both ensembles (ULYSSES and NEXT) benefit of work sessions with musicians from the Ensemble intercontemporain. The week culminates with a public concert as part of the festival ManiFeste-2026 in CENTQUATRE-PARIS. 

Programme

Anne Castex, new work, 10 minutes (2026), co-commissioned by Ircam-Centre Pompidou, Gaudeamus Festival, IEMA (International Ensemble Modern Academy), FRENCH PREMIERE

for flute, oboe, clarinet, piano, percussion, violin, viola, cello and electronics

. Unsuk Chin Gougalōn. Scenes from a Street Theater, 20 minutes (2009/2011)

for flute, oboe, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, 2 pianos, 2 percussions, 2 violins, viola, 2 cellos, double bass,

. Stefano Gervasoni Fado Errático, a song concert upon fados by Amália Rodrigues, 65 minutes (2007/2015) 

for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, piano, 3 percussions, Portuguese guitar, Spanish guitar, harp, accordion, 2 violins, viola, cello, double bass and electronics

STOP 3 - MIXTUR FESTIVAL, BARCELONA

More details soon.