Baroque on the Bayou returns May 22–24, for its second annual celebration of Baroque music in the heart of South Louisiana. Presented by the Atchafalaya Orchestra under the direction of Music & Artistic Director André Courville, the festival offers three intimate concerts in culturally significant venues, pairing iconic European repertoire with the unmistakable flavor of Louisiana’s French heritage and storytelling traditions.
“My vision is to celebrate the cultural riches we have here in St. Martin Parish while offering an intimate musical experience— just like Baroque music’s original small-hall performances— so that people truly feel part of the music,” says Courville.
A Festival Rooted in Place—and Full of Firsts This year’s festival keeps the welcoming, one-hour-concert format audiences loved in the inaugural season, with performances in spaces where history is felt as much as heard.
A centerpiece of the 2026 weekend is the Saturday concert at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Henderson— fresh from a full renovation and hosting the first concert ever held in the church. For Courville, it’s also a personal homecoming: he held his first job there as organist and choir director at age twelve.
Another highlight is guest soprano Claire de Monteil, traveling from Paris especially for Baroque on the Bayou’s third concert to sing Italian opera arias by Handel and French songs by Édith Piaf at the twohundred- year old Duchamp Opera House in St. Martinville, evoking the 1800s cultural life of the town, when artists of the French opera in New Orleans spent summers in the region and performed locally.
Opening night also welcomes Cajun fiddler and vocalist Jourdan Thibodeaux, performing soulful original French songs, bringing Louisiana’s living tradition into conversation with the music that inspired it surrounded by the awe-inspiring artwork at NUNU Arts & Culture Collective in Arnaudville.
2026 Festival Schedule & Program Highlights Friday, May 22, — 7:00 PM
Venue: NUNU Arts & Culture Collective, Arnaudville • Concerto for 2 Flutes in C major, RV 533—VIVALDI
• Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G major, BWV 1049—BACH
• Original French songs—THIBODEAUX— featuring Jourdan Thibodeaux, vocalist Saturday, May 23, 2026 — 7:00 PM Venue: Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, Henderson
• Concerto Grosso in B-flat major, HWV 325— HANDEL
• Oboe Concerto in D minor, S.Z799—MARCELLO • Sacred Italian & French songs—VARI-OUS— featuring André Courville, bass-baritone Sunday, May 24, 2026 — 3:00 PM Venue: Duchamp Opera House, St. Martinville • Concert pour quatre parties de violes—CHARPENTIER • Violin Concerto in G minor, BWV 1056R— BACH
• Italian opera arias/French songs— HANDEL/PIAF—featuring Claire de Monteil, soprano For tickets, schedules, and updates, visit bayoutechemusic.com
André Courville
Claire de Monteil
Jourdan Thibodeaux
