Since its creation in 2017, Ensemble la Sportelle has established itself as a unique voice in the sacred music landscape. A flexible vocal ensemble of 9 to 24 singers, it explores both a cappella repertoire and major oratorios, sometimes accompanied by organ or instrumental ensemble. Based in Rocamadour, in the Lot region, a millennium-old pilgrimage site, the ensemble draws inspiration from this exceptional setting and takes its name from “La Sportelle,” the almond-shaped medal given to pilgrims, symbolizing Rocamadour’s centuries-old spiritual radiance.

Inspired by Francis Poulenc’s encounter with Rocamadour and nourished by ten centuries of sacred music, Ensemble la Sportelle is dedicated to revealing this repertoire in a fresh and meaningful light. Under the artistic direction of Emmeran Rollin, and in collaboration with distinguished guest conductors such as Nigel Short, Owain Park, and Loïc Pierre, the singers combine the expressive qualities of soloists with the precision of a chamber choir. Each concert is conceived as a renewed experience: blending sound immersion, spatial design, lighting, and scenography, in search of sensitivity and beauty, to move audiences and foster genuine encounters.