Les plaisirs de Versailles Arts florissants

Description

Here are two small allegorical operas by Marc-Antoine Charpentier that are highly characteristic of the pieces performed at Versailles before King Louis XIV and his Court. Les Plaisirs de Versailles explicitly references these musical, instrumental, or lyrical scenes played in the royal apartments. It combined, while respecting a strict etiquette aimed at managing a large Court while providing joy, a skillful blend of the pleasures of the table, conversation, and the arts, which, by the way, official music obliged, glorified the acts of the solar sovereign. As for Les Arts Florissants, they highlight both the importance of the arts in all their forms at Versailles and the pacification of Europe by Louis XIV, considered his most essential achievement. Behind carefully crafted texts, as required by royal ears, lies a beautifully composed court music that is splendidly performed. It should be noted that this recording features the finest instrumentalists and singers from the Boston Early Music Festival. Everything soars very high. One might only criticize the somewhat approximate French pronunciation of certain American singers. Let us also highlight the learned and fascinating libretto by Gilbert Blin, which completes this beautiful production. (Thierry Jacques Collet)