André Campra - Requiem & Miserere (William Christie)

Information

Composer: André Campra

• Messe de Requiem
• Miserere

Les Arts Florissants

William Christie, conductor

Date: 2025

Label: Pentatone

_____________________

Les Arts Florissants, under the direction of founder William Christie, present the first complete recording of André Campra’s Requiem, paired with his Miserere. This landmark release highlights Campra’s subtle, expressive harmonies and spiritual depth, performed on period instruments at original French pitch with authentic ensemble forces. Christie and his musicians bring the elegance of French Baroque style to life, including historically informed Latin pronunciation. Long overshadowed, Campra’s sacred music is rediscovered here with clarity and emotional power. Issued on PENTATONE, the album is both a milestone for Les Arts Florissants and a vital contribution to the appreciation of one of France’s most refined musical voices.

André Campra (1660–1744) was a leading French composer of the early 18th century, acclaimed for both opera and sacred music. Educated in Aix-en-Provence, he became cathedral music master in Toulon, Arles, and Toulouse before being appointed director of music at Notre-Dame de Paris in 1694, where he introduced strings into liturgical accompaniment. Though celebrated for his motets, he gained lasting fame with L’Europe galante (1697), his pioneering opéra-ballet. Resigning his church post in 1700, Campra spent the next four decades enjoying wide success in the theatre. His sacred works—psalms, motets, and masses—remain admired for their expressive power and beauty.

William Christie (b. 1944, Buffalo, USA) studied at Harvard and Yale before settling in France in 1971. In 1979 he founded the ensemble Les Arts Florissants, transforming the performance of Baroque music with pioneering revivals of neglected repertoire. International recognition came in 1987 with Lully’s Atys at the Opéra Comique. Christie is a master of French Baroque, from Charpentier to Rameau, but also performs Italian composers like Monteverdi and Rossi, as well as Purcell, Handel, Mozart, and Haydn. With over 70 recordings, he is also a sought-after guest conductor at major opera houses and festivals. A passionate mentor, he has trained generations of young artists, many of whom now lead Baroque ensembles worldwide.