Step into the refined and expressive world of the French Baroque in this intimate recital of airs de cour and solo théorbe music. Exploring themes of love, longing, and pastoral beauty, this programme brings together works by some of the most celebrated composers of 17th-century France, including Marc-Antoine Charpentier, Michel Lambert, Robert de Visée, and Sébastien Le Camus.

At the heart of this recital lies the poetic tradition of the air de cour — elegant songs crafted for voice and lute, prized for their clarity, rhetorical nuance, and emotional directness. These are paired with exquisite instrumental suites by Robert de Visée, court guitarist to Louis XIV, whose music evokes both grandeur and introspection.

From the plaintive serenity of Le doux silence de nos bois to the ardent sensuality of Auprès de feu on fait l’amour, each piece invites the listener into a world of delicate ornamentation, refined sentiment, and intimate storytelling.

Programme

Pierre Guédron (c.1570–after 1620)

• Aux plaisirs, aux délices bergères

Robert de Visée (c.1655–c.1732)

• Pièces de théorbe, Suite in D Major: I. Prélude

Marc-Antoine Charpentier (1643–1704)

• Quoi! Rien ne peut vous arrêter?, H.462

Bertrand de Bacilly (c.1625–1690)

• Pour une bergère infidelle

Marc-Antoine Charpentier (1643–1704)

• Auprès de feu on fait l’amour, H.446

Sébastien Le Camus (c.1610–1677)

• Amour, cruel Amour

Robert de Visée (c.1655–c.1732)

• Pièces de théorbe, Suite in A Minor: VI. Chaconne

Sébastien Le Camus (c.1610–1677)

• Laisses durer la nuit

Michel Lambert (1610–1696)

• Ma bergère est tendre et fidèle

Robert de Visée (c.1655–c.1732)

• Pièces de théorbe, Suite in C Minor:

  I. Prélude

  II. La Plainte

  III. Courante

  IV. Sarabande

  V. Gigue

Honoré d’Ambruys (fl. c.1660–1696)

• Le doux silence de nos bois

Michel Lambert (1610–1696)

• Vos mépris chaque jour

François Le Cocq (fl. early 18th c.)

• Chaconne

Marc-Antoine Charpentier (1643–1704)

• Sans frayeur dans ce bois