Free Classical Concert Aug 12 in the Luberon

Every summer, a group of talented singers from Nice and the UK known as Ristretto arrives in tiny, charming Lumières in the Luberon to enjoy good food and wine, the beauty of Provence and a week of intensive choral singing. The 2017 program will include works by Monteverdi, Bach, Gershwin, Esenwalds, Mundy and Girdlestone. 

And then when everything is polished, they give an open-to-the-public concert. This year it's Saturday August 12 at 6 pm, in the Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Lumière, next door to the Hotellerie Notre Dame de Lumières, a very-special hotel in a former 17th-century convent. Admission to the concert is free...just show up! 

For a casual dinner afterwards, stroll over to Le Garage, grab an outdoor table and tuck into a terrific selection of tapas, small plates and cocktails. Or head up the hill to La Terrasse, which my local chef friend Giuseppina calls "the top" for light, creative cooking, super-fresh ingredients and great views. Definitely reserve at either place...they fill up.

Lumières is just off the D900, just below the village of Goult...about 15 to 20 minutes from Gordes and the 12th-century Abbaye de Sénanque. 

And if you're planning an event of your own, the highly regarded Ristretto and its musicians are available for weddings and other gatherings. Learn more at RistrettoVoices.com then email or call: choralsummer@aol.com, +33 (0)6-17-71-71-70.