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The Ensemble Les Arts Florissants
A historic musical ensemble, a pioneer of the baroque since 1979.
« Les Arts Florissants have revolutionised the way baroque music is presented. »
– Opera News
co-musical directors: William Christie & Paul Agnew
concerts per year
artists
concerts abroad (outside France)
residency at the Philharmonie de Paris
festivals in Vendée - Pays de la Loire
Founded in 1979 by William Christie, Les Arts Florissants is one of the most renowned baroque music ensembles in the world.
Faithful to performance on period instruments, this ensemble - which takes its name from a small-scale opera by Marc-Antoine Charpentier - has played a pioneering role in bringing the European music of the 17th and 18th centuries, represented by Handel, Charpentier, Monteverdi, Rameau, Bach and Purcell, back to life. Today, Les Arts Florissants offers around one hundred concerts and performances each year on the most important French and international stages. A rich programme, supported by exceptional musicians from all over the world who interpret this repertoire under the conduction of William Christie and Paul Agnew... thus bringing to life this "Arts Flo style" that is recognisable among thousands.
Online exhibition:
The conductors
William Christie, founder and co-musical director
Harpsichordist, conductor, musicologist and teacher, William Christie is the architect of one of the most remarkable musical adventures of the last thirty years. Born in Buffalo and based in France, his career took a decisive turn in 1979 when he founded Les Arts Florissants. At the head of this instrumental and vocal ensemble, he has imposed his very personal style as a musician and as a man of theatre through major productions, both in concert and on the opera stage. His discography includes more than one hundred recordings.
Paul Agnew, co-musical director
Spotted by William Christie, the British tenor and conductor Paul Agnew has established himself on the greatest stages as an outstanding performer of the Baroque repertoire. In 2013, he became assistant musical director of Les Arts Florissants, with whom he performed the complete madrigals of Monteverdi and Gesualdo, as well as Monteverdi's L'Orfeo - all of which have been recorded for Harmonia Mundi. Co-director of Le Jardin des Voix academy and of the Festival Dans les Jardins de William Christie, he is the Artistic Director of the Les Arts Florissants Spring Festival. Since 2020 he has been Co-musical Director of Les Arts Florissants.
Artistic collaborators
Emmanuel Resche-Caserta
First violin & musical assistant to William Christie
Sophie Daneman
Pedagogue, language coach & stage director
