accentus

Since its founding by Laurence Equilbey in 1991, the vocal ensemble accentus has occupied a major position on the European musical scene. Renowned for its excellence in the a cappella repertoire, contemporary creation, oratorio, and opera, this chamber choir has established itself as a leading force in classical music.

accentus is distinguished by the breadth and quality of its collaborations with major conductors, soloists, and international orchestras, including Pierre Boulez, Andris Nelsons, Eric Ericson, Christoph Eschenbach, Sir Simon Rattle, Philippe Jordan, Yannick Nézet‑Séguin, the Orchestre de Paris, the Ensemble intercontemporain, the Berliner Philharmoniker, and Insula orchestra. The ensemble also performs alongside prominent artists such as Brigitte Engerer, Bertrand Chamayou, and Edouard Garcin, and takes part in landmark lyric productions such as Gounod’s La Nonne sanglante at the Opéra‑Comique, La Traviata at the Opéra de Rouen Normandie, and Weber’s Der Freischütz.

accentus performs regularly in major concert halls and festivals in France and abroad: the Philharmonie de Paris, La Seine Musicale, the Grand Théâtre de Provence, the Opéra Royal de Versailles, the Opéra‑Comique, the Théâtre des Champs‑Élysées, the Salzburg Festival, the Barbican Centre in London, the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Lincoln Center in New York, and the Theater an der Wien in Vienna. It benefits from strong partnerships, notably with the Philharmonie de Paris and La Seine Musicale, and continues an important residency with the Orchestre de l’Opéra de Rouen Normandie. Christophe Grapperon has been associate conductor of the ensemble since 2013.

The ensemble’s excellence has been recognised through numerous distinctions, including three Victoires de la Musique Classique (2002, 2005, 2008), a Gold Record, and two Grammy Award nominations — notably for the album Transcriptions. Its discographic projects further testify to its creativity and commitment, including recent notable recordings such as Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy with Insula orchestra, Weber’s Der Freischütz with Laurence Equilbey, and Mozart’s La Betulia Liberata with Les Talens Lyriques.

Since 2017, accentus has also been devoted to knowledge transmission through the creation of the CEN, a physical and digital resource centre in Paris designed to share the ensemble’s expertise and pedagogical materials gathered over more than thirty years. In 2018, accentus entered a new phase by becoming the first National Vocal Arts Centre, strengthening its artistic and educational missions across Paris Île‑de‑France and Normandy.

Building on its history, artistic rigour, and many distinctions, accentus continues to pursue with passion its mission of promoting vocal music at the crossroads of creation, education, and musical excellence.

Previously a partner of accentus from 2004 to 2012, and then of Insula orchestra from 2013 to 2016, the Société Générale Corporate Foundation has been supporting the accentus choir again since 2025. In addition, it also supports Laurence Equilbey’s new initiative dedicated to professional integration: Insula camerata.

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