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Happy birthday, dear William!
To mark William Christie's 80th birthday, Les Arts Florissants is offering a season of celebrations. Concerts, audiovisual projects, new recordings and books... all to celebrate the 80 flourishing years of this musical icon, looking forward to the future!
New publications:
William Christie, 80 years of music and re-discoveries
A pioneer in the rediscovery of the Baroque repertoire, a seasoned educator, harpsichordist, conductor and man of the theatre... William Christie has written his name into the legend of twentieth- and twenty-first-century music through recordings and productions that have left a lasting impression. Founder of the baroque ensemble Les Arts Florissants, his contribution to the French and international cultural landscape goes far beyond music. His contribution can be measured by the originality of the major project he initiated: the creation of the Fondation Les Arts Florissants - William Christie, whose mission - combining music, heritage preservation, and transmission - makes it one of a kind worldwide.
William Christie at a glance
Born in Buffalo (NY, USA)
Moving to France
Founding of baroque music ensemble Les Arts Florissants
Premiere of Atys by Lully at the Opéra-Comique in Paris
Obtaining French citizenship
Launch of Le Jardin des Voix, Les Arts Florissants’ international academy for young singers
Start of the collaboration with the Juilliard School in New York
Election as member of the French Académie des Beaux- Arts. Beginning of the Arts Flo Juniors program for young singers and instrumentalists.
First edition of the Festival Dans les Jardins de William Christie (Vendée, Pays de la Loire)
Les Arts Florissants begins its residency at the Philharmonie de Paris
Creation of the Fondation Les Arts Florissants — William Christie
Awarded the rank of Grand-Croix of the « Ordre National du Mérite »
Building the Arts Flo future
Because William Christie has always looked forward to the future, this anniversary year will also be an opportunity to highlight the current activities of Les Arts Florissants and its commitment to future generations. Training and professional support programs, revealing new talent, integration into the ranks of the Ensemble: the future of the “Arts Flo” style is secured.
Le Jardin des Voix
Next edition: summer 2025
- 3 weeks residency in Thiré (Vendée, Pays de la Loire)
- 10 laureates from 6 different countries, selected from all over the world
- 2 new productions on international tour
Les Arts florissans by Marc-Antoine Charpentier
Musical direction: William Christie
This new opera production marks William Christie’s return to the roots, since he chose this work by Char- pentier to create his Ensemble in 1979 - and named it after its title (albeit with a slight spelling subtlety)!
Premiere: August 2025 (opening of the Festival Dans les Jardins de William Christie)
Il giardino di rose by Alessandro Scarlatti
Musical direction: Paul Agnew
Premiere: April 2026 (as part of the Festival de Printemps - Les Arts Florissants)
Paul Agnew's co-musical direction
Since being named co-musical director of Les Arts Florissants in 2020, British tenor and conductor Paul Agnew has establi- shed himself at the helm of the Ensemble. He will direct a dozen productions over the course of the upcoming season, including a new work with with French-Senegalese choreographer Amala Dianor at the Philharmonie de Paris: Gesualdo Passione.
Young artists in te spotlight
21 laureate singers of Le Jardin des Voix in the 2024-25 programming
13 former Arts Flo Juniors program participants among the artists of the season
7 Juilliard School alumni among the artists of the season
And also: Les Arts Flo celebrates the Philharmonie de Paris
This season also marks another birthday for Les Arts Florissants, who will be joining in the festivities orchestrated by the Philharmonie de Paris in 2025 to celebrate the 10th birthday of this landmark institution, as well as the 30th birthday of the Cité de la musique!