Our five artists met in 2013, on the occasion of a special concert focused on Schubert and the voice, and instantly felt a musical and human connection. They decided to create ‘Les Sésame’, a versatile group meant to promote chamber music in all its forms, through concerts, interdisciplinary projects, educational activities and regular work with contemporary composers. Since then, they have embarked on a number of collaborations (tango concerts with bandoneon player Olivier Manoury,  gospel with Sabine Kouli, premieres by Pierre-Yves Macé, realisation of the documentary “Bois contre bois” of the videast Jakez Hubert…). 

They have also set up an international string quartet masterclass in Charente, and an annual chamber music festival, ‘les Sésameries de Mirmande’ in the beautiful Drôme region, which combines concerts, lectures, workshops with schoolchildren and musical walks in the countryside. They are regularly invited to play in Paris, in France, and abroad. The musicians of Ensemble Sésame have also recorded Bartók’s duos for NoMadPlay and, more recently, the complete instrumental chamber music of Maurice Ravel for NoMadMusic, a triple CD that has met with immense success in the French and international press (Choc de Classica, 5 étoiles Melómano Digital, 5 Diapasons…). Ann-Estelle, Naaman, Barbara, Maitane and Julien are all soloists, and share not only a passion for music but also deep ties of friendship. They are advocates for a variety of human and living beings’ causes.