Masterclass with Reinoud Van Mechelen

From Lully to Rameau: the art of recitative in French opera from the Grand Siècle to the Age of Enlightenment 

Reinoud Van Mechelen has established himself as one of the most prominent tenors on the Baroque scene, and a leading interpreter of the French repertoire of the 17th and 18th centuries. A protégé of William Christie and a regular member of Les Arts Florissants, he skilfully embodies the heroes of Lully, Campra, Charpentier and Rameau on the world's greatest stages.

In a three-day masterclass with young professionals, the artist will explore the declamation, style and ornamentation specific to the tragédie lyrique. This masterclass will also provide a rare opportunity to get to the heart of French recitative, between rhetorical rigor and theatrical expressiveness, under the guidance of an artist who is both singer and teacher, and renowned for his musical sensitivity and deep understanding of this repertoire.

Who is it for? 

• Singers completing advanced training (conservatories, advanced training centers, baroque academies, etc.) or professionals wishing to deepen their mastery of the French baroque style.
• Instrumentalists specializing in early music (harpsichordists, theorbists, violists, cellists, etc.) interested in vocal accompaniment, particularly in recitative. 
• Students in conducting, accompaniment or musicology, insofar as active participation in listening and discussion is possible. 

A basic level of reading French Baroque music, a good understanding of spoken and sung French, and familiarity with the principles of basso continuo are recommended.

Where and when? 

From October 27 to 29, 2025 (arrival on October 26) at the Quartier des Artistes in Thiré, Vendée, an exceptional heritage site combining the beauty of gardens and the pleasures of Baroque music, home of the Festival Dans les Jardins de William Christie and the Fondation Les Arts Florissants - William Christie. 

Learning outcomes 

• Deepen your understanding of style: grasp the historical, rhetorical and aesthetic issues involved in French recitative. 
• Work on declamation: master the prosody and accentuation of Baroque French from a musical and dramatic perspective. 
• Refine your interpretation: develop a vocal expressiveness capable of conveying the affects and tensions of the text, while respecting the French Baroque style. 
• Practice ornamentation: learn to ornament recitative with taste and judiciously, according to the customs of the time and the dramatic context. 
• Strengthen the link with the basso continuo: refine listening skills, responsiveness and joint breathing between singer and accompanist, in a spirit of dialogue.

Workflow 

The masterclass is organized around both individual and collective work sessions. Each participant or pair (singer/instrumentalist) prepares an excerpt from the French Baroque vocal repertoire - recitative alone or recitative with aria - taken from operatic works by Lully, Charpentier, Campra, Destouches, Rameau or contemporaries.

• Individual sessions: Each performer presents his or her excerpt and receives personalized feedback on technical, stylistic and interpretative aspects.
• Collective work: All participants are invited to attend the sessions and take an active part in listening and exchanging ideas as part of a collective transmission dynamic.
• Focus on specific themes: Mini-workshops or one-off interventions may be offered on key points such as French ornamentation, basso continuo or Baroque French pronunciation.

Accompaniment: Florian Carré, Les Arts Florissants' faithful harpsichord player, will be on hand to encourage in-depth work on the relationship between voice and continuo.

Number of participants 

The masterclass is limited to 12 participants.

Final concert 

A public presentation concert will be held at the end of the masterclass.

How to apply? 

Please complete the online form (LINK)

Via this form, singers and instrumentalists wishing to participate must send the following documents:

• Curriculum vitae with photo ;
• Covering letter ;
• Audio or video recording of a 3-minute excerpt from a pre-1800 French opera, also to be presented at the masterclass.

Application deadline: July 31, 2025 

Participation fee: 700 € 
These costs include tuition, accommodation in a single room, meals and transfers from the nearest train station.

For information and inquiries, please send an e-mail to masterclasses@arts-florissants.org