Information
Composer: Marc-Antoine Charpentier
- Les Arts Florissants, H. 487
- Sonata à 8, H. 548
Dallas Bach Society
New York Baroque Dance Company
James Richman, conductor
Date: 2024
Label: Rubicon
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James Richman and the Dallas Bach Society, joined with the New York Baroque Dance Company bring to you a rare gem in the form of Chapentier’s ‘Les Arts Florissants’ which he labelled as both Idyle en musique and Opéra. The story depicts the eponymous arts and two warriors drawn into a conflict between the central characters of the story, Peace and Discord. A struggle ensues and Discord with his Furies gain an upper hand. Eventually, an arbiter intercedes on behalf of Peace, the god Jupiter ends the dispute with a flurry of rightous thunderbolts and pushes Discord and his followers back, allowing Peace to flourish once more. This work was written in 1685 as best as can be judged, and thus was subject to the Royal Patent for opera held by Lully. Although Lully by the grace of King Louis XIV had monopolised the opera scene, Charpentier persevered with his complete opera ‘Médée’.
