Festival de Printemps – Spring Festival 2018
Sacred Johann Sebastian Bach

Ensemble

Les Arts Florissants

Musical direction

Combing the pleasure of music and the beauty of gardens, the Spring Festval is an invitation to discover the sacred choral repertory in the exceptional setting of the churches of the South of the Vendée region. During a whole weekend the festival-goers can immerse themselves in the works of a composer thanks to a rich programme of concerts, exchanges with the public or the discovery of William Christie’s garden at a moment of the year guaranteed to amaze you…

After a first edition dedicated to Marc-Antoine Charpentier, this year the festival will honour one of the most celebrated composers of the baroque period: Johann Sebastian Bach. Paul Agnew, Artistic Director of the festival and William Christie conduct the singers and instrumentalists of Les Arts Florissants in a selection of works which are amongst the great masterpieces of this absolute master of sacred music. A musical promenade likely to display unique moments of beauty!

The Spring Festival is a joint proposition by Les Arts Florissants and the Conseil Départemental de la Vendée.

Box office will open on 26 February 2018 at 10am
> on internet www.evenements.vendee.fr
> by phone 02 28 85 85 70

Programme

Bach Motets

Musical direction : Paul Agnew
Vocal and instrumental ensemble : Les Arts Florissants

6 April, 8pm • Fontenay-le-Comte

In this selection of motets by Paul Agnew, the common denominator is most certainly Johann Sebastian Bach, even if all the pieces on the programme are not by him. Accompanying the works of the Leipzig Cantor are those of his relations Johann Christoph and Johann Ludwig as well as his contemporary, Johann Kuhnau. We will thus be plunged into Bach’s world at the invitation of the tenor and Musical Director Paul Agnew, together with the singers and musicians of Les Arts Florissants.
Tickets : 20 € full price, 12 € reduced price

B Minor Mass

Musical direction : William Christie
Orchestra et soloists : Les Arts Florissants

7 April, 8pm • Luçon Cathedral

William Christie will present his very personal vision on this major work by Bach. Performed by the orchestra and the choir of Les Arts Florissants as well as top ranking soloists, regular partners of Les Arts Florissants and specialists in this repertory, this programme will resonate like never before in the sumptuous setting of the Luçon Cathedral.
Tickets : 20 € full price, 12 € reduced price

Concertos and Suites

Musical direction : Paul Agnew
Orchestra : Les Arts Florissants

8 April, 5:30pm • Moutiers-sur-le-Lay

Paul Agnew will present a selection of orchestral pieces amongst the most well-known of Johann Sebastian Bach, to which the musicians of the orchestra of Les Arts Florissants will lend all the colours and sensitivity that are characteristic of the “Arts Flo” style.
Tickets : 20 € full price, 12 € reduced price

Concert & café : Partita for solo violin

7 April, 11am • Thiré church

Thirty minutes of music, followed by an exchange with the artists: what could be a better way to discover the “Arts Flo” spirit? In the intimate setting of the church in Thiré, the violinist Théotime Langlois de Swarte will perform a work of his choice from the vast repertory of Johann Sebastian Bach. The concert will be followed by a chance to meet the artist over a coffee.
Tickets : 10 € full price, 6 € reduced price

Concert & café : Cello suites

8 April, 11am • Thiré church

Thirty minutes of music, followed by an exchange with the artists: what could be a better way to discover the “Arts Flo” spirit? In the intimate setting of the church in Thiré, the celloist Cyril Poulet will perform a selection of works of his choice from the vast repertory of Johann Sebastian Bach. The concert will be followed by a chance to meet the artist over a coffee.
Tickets : 10 € full price, 6 € reduced price