The Last Rose

Born out of the encounter between the world of Rosemary Standley, and that of François Lazarevitch and his Musiciens de Saint-Julien, The Last Rose explores the rich interlacings of folk music and early music through Anglo-Celtic ballads. These songs, collected in the second half of the 19th century by Francis James Child (1825–1896) and Cecil Sharp (1859–1924), have crossed centuries and borders, at times made famous by artists such as Joan Baez (Henry Martin) or Simon & Garfunkel (Scarborough Fair).

The programme also alternates poignant ballads with rhythmic songs (Scottish dances and traditional American airs). The female figure often plays a central role here, as in The Female Rambling Sailor or the Gaelic waulking songs from the Hebrides. The Last Rose of Summer, emblematic of the melancholy poetry characteristic of this repertoire may also be found.

Carried by the expressive voice of Rosemary Standley and the counterpoint of Hélène Richaud and Enea Sorini, the music draws on an early instrumentation with timbres close to folk: flutes, smallpipes, orpharion, a true folk guitar of the 17th century, baroque harp, dulcimer, viola da gamba, cello, and bodhrán (Irish percussion). This living, organic sound palette inspires great freedom of interpretation with a very contemporary energy.

The dialogue between the voice of Rosemary Standley, and the flutes and pipes of François Lazarevitch brings to the programme a rare finesse and a subtle emotion.
Their performance has been semi-staged by Daniel San Pedro and lit by Anne Müller to create an emotional and contrasting experience.

This meeting of exceptional talents under the aegis of Les Musiciens de Saint-Julien gives these ancient repertoires vigour and vitality, as well as a new freshness well suited to reaching all audiences. 

Distribution

Mise en espace : Daniel san Pedro
Création lumière : Anne Müller
Régie générale, régie son : Anne Laurin
Régie lumière : NN

Rosemary Standley : chant
Enea Sorini : chant, percussions, tympanon
Hélène Richaud : chant, violoncelle
Manon Papasergio : harpe, viole de gambe
Léo Brunet : théorbe, pandore
François Lazarevitch : flûtes, smallpipes


Spectacle sonorisé.
Création scénique le 16 mai 2026 au Volcan – scène nationale du Havre

Coproduction Le Volcan – scène nationale du Havre.