Biography
Founded in 2010 under the direction of Léo Warynski, Les Métaboles brings together professional singers dedicated to the a cappella choir repertoire. Their name, inspired by a piece by Henri Dutilleux (1916–2013), which revolves around the idea of metamorphosis, reflects the choir’s ability to transform across different repertoires while maintaining a contemporary focus. The ensemble is dedicated to the vast choral repertoire and performs it for a diverse audience.
While a significant part of Les Métaboles’ activities is focused on the a cappella repertoire, collaborations with orchestras and instrumental ensembles also feature in their musical season. Thus, the ensemble occasionally partners with the orchestra Les Siècles, the Orchestre National d’Île-de-France, the Orchestre de Normandie, the Ensemble intercontemporain, or the Ensemble Multilatérale.
Les Métaboles is regularly invited to prestigious festivals and venues in France and Europe (Philharmonie de Paris, Opéra-Comique, Festival d’Automne, Musica in Strasbourg, Ribeauvillé Festival, Musicales de Normandie in Rouen, Voix Nouvelles Festival in Royaumont, Mainz Opera in Germany, Mozarteum in Salzburg).
In September 2023, “Le Moine et le Voyou” (NoMadMusic) was released, the ensemble’s fifth album following “The Angels” (2021), “Jardin féérique” (2020), “Une nuit américaine” (2016), and “Mysterious Nativity” (2014). Universally praised by critics, these recordings establish Les Métaboles among the best French choirs, both for their vocal excellence (precision, tone color, timbral unity) and for the originality of their chosen repertoires.
The ensemble Les Métaboles won the Liliane Bettencourt Prize for Choral Singing in 2018.
Les Métaboles is an associated ensemble at the Cité de la Voix, the National Center for Vocal Arts of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté.
Mandatory Mentions:
Les Métaboles receives support from the Drac Grand Est as a conventioned ensemble, from the Grand Est region, the CNM, Sacem, and Spedidam.
The Société Générale Corporate Foundation is the main sponsor of the ensemble.
The ensemble Les Métaboles is a member of Fevis, the Futurs Composés network, and Profedim.