The Queen's delight

This programme brings together all the flavour and richness of English music and the instrumental and vocal repertoire that it inspired in Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries. The rhythmic impulse culminates, sometimes in an ostinato, in the grounds, jigs, contredanses and other dance music that were all the rage, leading to the publication of John Playford’s collection, The English Dancing Master, in 1651.

The Musiciens de Saint-Julien, familiar with the ancient sources from England, Scotland and Ireland, also emphasise the melodic aspect of these dances, which have become airs to be sung – a soprano and a baritone complete a colourful instrumentarium. Finally, the light-heartedness of this type of entertainment is present everywhere in this repertoire, popular because it was practised by everyone at the time, but also because it was famous well beyond the island.

7 artists
Fiona MacGown, mezzo soprano
Enea Sorini, baritone / dulcimer / drums
François Lazarevitch, flutes / small-pipes / direction
violin, viola da gamba, Baroque harp, archiluth / cittern

Production
Les Musiciens de Saint-Julien