Frank Castellano: “Creating emotion is our mission”!

For the third consecutive year, the Chœur du Sud, directed by Frank Castellano, artistic director and choir leader, is participating in the tour “Ça c’est le Sud”, which has become one of the largest popular touring events in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.

With more than 100,000 spectators in 2025, a bolstered artistic line-up and 30 dates scheduled this summer, the event supported by the Région and François de Canson, Vice-President of the Région in charge of tourism, aims to celebrate the regions, bring together residents and holidaymakers and promote sustainable tourism.

An edition in 2026 that promises to be more intense than ever. It began on July 1st in Sainte Marie and ends in La Londe les Maures on August 17th.

With its communicative energy, its unifying repertoire and the power of its 10,600 choristers, the Chœur du Sud, under the passionate direction of Frank Castellano, brings dynamism, emotion and closeness to an event that, beyond the show, celebrates the regions and those who bring them to life.

THE INTERVIEW

Frank Castellano looks back on the commitment of his choir, the artistic preparation and the collective energy that make the Chœur du Sud an essential pillar of the tour.

This is the third time you are participating in the tour “Ça c’est le Sud”. Does the intensity increase from year to year?

Each edition attracts more people. We see it very clearly. From year to year, there are more and more people who come to attend this magnificent gathering. It has become an awaited event, and the public is there. For us, it is a source of real pride.

And what about the choristers, how is that evolving?

There too, the dynamic is impressive. We are between 90 and 100 choristers per night, but they are not always the same. They rotate depending on the dates, which allows for great diversity. It is beautiful to see this volunteer mobilization. The choristers come out of passion, out of a desire to share a unique moment.

An eclectic repertoire to create osmosis

What will the repertoire be this year?

We are sticking to a variety repertoire, because the objective is to get the audience singing and to create a real osmosis between the artists and the spectators. And this year, we have the chance to welcome Julie Zenatti. Part of her repertoire will be integrated into ours. She will sing with us on certain songs. It is one and the same part, but with different moments. Her voice, which has a magnificent timbre and great range, will really amplify the emotion of the show.

How do you choose the repertoire?

It is a lot about feeling. We rely on musical news, on songs that work, on current ones. But we also look for a balance between songs from the past and those of today. The idea is to be as eclectic as possible to offer as many emotions as possible. And once I have written the arrangements, I quickly see if it works within the choir. When it works in rehearsal, I know the public will follow.

So you don't change the program from one night to another?

No, never. I am sure of my repertoire. When an arrangement works, it works everywhere. Up to now, this has always proven true.

A beautiful collective mechanism

How many choristers do you mobilize in total to secure the 30 dates?

If you do the math, 100 choristers per night over 30 dates represents 3,000 participations. But our pool is much wider: today we have 10,600 registered choristers. For the tour, I favor those from the south of France. As for the direction, I am the one ensuring the 30 dates. The choristers change, but the choir leader remains the same.

The organization and travel must be complex to manage?

It is mostly a matter of organization. We set up buses, we manage the registrations of choristers who wish to participate. Everything is based on volunteering: people come on their own, motivated by the desire to experience this adventure. It is a beautiful collective mechanism.

Does a tour like this take a long time to prepare in advance?

Yes, for several months. We have to work on the repertoire, find the balance between emotions, moments of joy, and the memories that the songs awaken. In 40 or 50 minutes, we have to bring several states to life: a smile, emotion, energy, admiration at the voices blending together. If we manage to make people forget their daily worries, then the mission is accomplished.

A choir of national scale

Does the Chœur du Sud now go far beyond regional borders?

Yes, we have had a national presence for a long time. We even have choirs in Belgium, and next year in Switzerland. In total, 137 choirs, from Dunkerque to Bordeaux, from Mulhouse to the Méditerranée. But for the tour, it is mainly the choristers from the region who participate.

Your conducting is very physical. Is it a signature?

Yes, completely. We dust off the image of the choir. In France, the word can seem a bit rigid, but we bring a dynamism that surprises many. For me, conducting is not just about the hands: it is the face, the body, the feet. It is a language that the choristers understand, even if they are not professionals. I give a lot, they give a lot, and that is where the magic happens.