7 - 10 May 2026
About
The Notable Festival is not just a concert series – it's a curated experience: candlelit performances, flowing bubbles, and soul-stirring stories in one of the most beautiful corners of Europe.
A celebration of art, music, and culture set against the stunning backdrop of the Côte d’Azur.
Our festival brings together world-class performances, intimate gatherings, and sensory experiences that blur the lines between music, poetry, and visual art.
From sunrise breakfasts to candlelit dinners, guests are invited to slow down, connect, and savour beauty in all its forms.
Highlights
Eugene Onegin -Opera in One Hour — A fresh, intimate take on Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece.
Musical Storytelling: The History of Onegin — Between Poetry and Music
Gala Night: Why Sopranos Never Survive — From Tatyana to Tosca, a celebration of opera’s heroines and their beautiful, tragic fates — bringing both laughter and tears
Pictures from an Exhibition — Mussorgsky’s immersive masterpiece with original paintings projected around the audience, transforming the villa into a living gallery
Private Visit to a Contemporary Art Foundation — an exclusive glimpse into the modern art world
Talks on Local History and Culture — stories that bring the Riviera’s soul to life
Champagne Receptions, Slow Dinners, and Lazy Breakfasts — time to unwind, connect, and indulge in culinary artistry
Concerts
All concert tickets include a bubbles reception with gourmet canapes by The Original Menu.
Meet the Artists
Pavel Timofeyevsky
Piano
Virtuoso pianist, composer for film and the concert stage, arranger and lecturer, Pavel Timofeyevsky has received numerous prizes and accolades, including the BBC/Guardian Young Composer of the Year award. Pavel has appeared at nearly all the major concert venues across the UK. Concert tours, along with television and radio appearances in other parts of the world include the USA, China, Canada, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Russia, Latvia, Greece, Cyprus and India.
Efim Zaválny
Baritone
Efim Zavalny is a Russian baritone, originally from Syktyvkar, now based in London. He gained international recognition as a soloist at the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg and has since appeared with major opera companies and concert venues across Europe, the United States and Russia. Known for his rich timbre and commanding stage presence, his repertoire spans major operatic roles from Tchaikovsky to Verdi.
Martins Smaukstelis
Tenor
Martins Smaukstelis is a Latvian-born tenor who completed his Master of Arts degree at the Royal Academy of Music. He was the first prize winner in the latest Emmy Destinn Awards. Martins recently made significant debuts as Tamino in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte (Nevill Holt Festival), Rodolfo in Puccini’s La boheme (The Opera Makers) and Duke of Mantua in Verdi’s Rigoletto (New Opera Singapore). He has also sung with Glyndebourne, Garsington, Wexford and The Grange Festival operas among others.
Galina Averina
Soprano
Galina Averina studied at the Royal College of Music. She is a former member of the soloists’ ensemble at the Perm State Opera Theatre and has received numerous awards at international competitions, including the Audience Prize at the Francisco Viñas Competition. Recent engagements include her Opera North debut as Magda (La Rondine), Adina (L’elisir d’amore) for Wild Arts, Stratonica (La forza dell’Amor Paterno) at the Barber Institute and Pasiphaë in the world premiere of Raising Icarus with Birmingham Contemporary Music Group. Other recent roles include Mimì (La bohème), Phébé (Castor and Pollux) and Contessa Almaviva (Le nozze di Figaro).
Meriel Cunningham
mezzo-soprano
Meriel Cunningham is a British mezzo-soprano and singing actor based in London. Praised for her captivating stage presence, she is rapidly gaining recognition for both her vocal and dramatic ability, with critics commending her exceptional comedic timing and rich mezzo-soprano tone. Recent career highlights include a “standout” performance as Rosina in Charles Court Opera’s acclaimed production of The Barber of Seville and a nomination for Best Opera Performance at OffWestEnd’s 2024 Offie Awards. A graduate of The Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Meriel continues to study with John Evans.
Pauls Putnins
Bass-Baritone
Pauls has an international concert career and has sung with orchestras including the Philharmonia, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Israel, Moscow and Bucharest Philharmonics and Russian National Orchestra ranging in a wide repertoire including all Bach Passions, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, and Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.
One-Hour Opera Onegin
Experience Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece in a bold new way.Our festival’s signature production is a thrilling one-hour re-imagining of Onegin - a condensed, emotionally charged journey through one of opera’s most beloved stories.
This unique format captures all the drama, elegance, and intensity of Tchaikovsky’s score while keeping the most iconic moments, including the celebrated arias, duets, and confrontations that have captivated audiences for generations.
Designed for a modern audience, the one-hour opera distills the essence of the original work: the naïve passion of Tatyana, Onegin’s cool detachment, the fateful duel, and the heart-stopping final encounter. Nothing essential is lost — the best action, the finest music, and the full emotional arc remain, brought to life with world-class singers and instrumentalists.
Presented as an intimate, semi-staged performance, this production invites audiences into the poetic world of Pushkin and Tchaikovsky with fresh immediacy and cinematic clarity. The result is a vibrant, accessible, and unforgettable operatic experience — perfect for newcomers and aficionados alike.
Arranged by Pavel Timofeyevsky
A Culinary Experience by The Original Menu
All food and canapés at the festival are prepared fresh on site by our wonderful chef Lena from The Original Menu. Known for her healthy, gourmet approach, Lena crafts beautiful canapés, dinners, and breakfasts each day using only the finest local ingredients.
This is truly bespoke cuisine with exquisite menus — not standard hotel fare, but exceptional dishes created by The Original Menu, a renowned European catering company, with their founder cooking exclusively for our festival.
Price Packages
3
One Day Package
per person: €350
Bespoke breakfast and a gourmet dinner curated by The Original Menu
Unlimited fine wine & champagne served at the reception and dinner (white, red, sparkling & soft drinks)
Ticket to the concert and cultural programme on the day
Full day villa facilities access
Two Days Package
per person: €600
2 Bespoke breakfasts and 2 gourmet dinners curated by The Original Menu
Unlimited fine wine & champagne served at the receptions and dinners (white, red, sparkling & soft drinks)
Tickets to two concerts and a cultural programme during the days
Two full days villa facilities access
Full Entertainment Package
per person: €1450
3 Bespoke breakfasts and 3 gourmet dinners curated by The Original Menu
Unlimited fine wine & champagne served at receptions and dinners (white, red, sparkling & soft
drinks)
3 Private concerts, plus opera & intimate cultural events at the villa
Full villa facilities access
Introducing Villa Les Cistes
Nestled right in the center of a charming town of Sainte-Maxime, Villa Les Cistes captivates with its elegant design and serene ambiance.
Perched on a hill, it offers a breathtaking panoramic view of Côte d'Azur.
Facilities
Outdoor Heated Swimming Pool
Beautiful Gardens and Fish Pond
Billiard and Games room
Cinema room
Gym
Wine cellar
Form new friendships
Discover culinary delights, beautiful music, fine wines, and cultural experiences that make every moment unforgettable
Past Festivals
Each past festival has been a celebration of music, culture, and camaraderie in a setting that is as elegant as it is inviting.
Check out the videos from previous years, and reach out to us to register your interest in our upcoming festival.