News
L’Orfeo: Rehearsal begins!
On February 10th, singers and musicians got together for the very first rehearsal of L’Orfeo at the Philharmonie de Paris. The adventure has begun!
Everyone’s in a circle around Paul Agnew. For this first rehearsal, the singers and Instrumentalists of L’Orfeo are calm and focused. “It’s like the first day of school,” confides American tenor Zachary Wilder. “We meet the other voices and discover Paul’s philosophy. Everyone’s very attentive and all the singers have beautiful voices. What more could you ask for?” This relaxed, friendly and intimate atmosphere shows the trust Paul Agnew develops with each of his performers, whom he will accompany on stage. Alongside Cyril Auvity, the singer and conductor has united a faithful group of colleagues – comrades in the madrigal adventure like Hannah Morrison, Miriam Allan, Sean Clayton and Antonio Abete, as well as previous participants of the Jardin des Voix such as Carlo Vistoli, Cyril Costanzo, Zachary Wilder and Lea Desandre.
For Italian countertenor Carlo Vistoli, “it’s very enjoyable to work with Paul. First because he has beautiful ideas, but mostly because he knows how to develop a troupe spirit, a togetherness, among the singers.” For this new production of L’Orfeo, this aspect will be particularly important: “It’s a team effort. There’s no choir per say but it feels like we’re an ensemble. Paul Agnew was very clear that the choruses must be sung like madrigals: we’re soloists who have to construct a harmonious sound together. We’ve already learned about each other’s voices, the way each one sounds alongside the other, so that we can adapt to the group.”
Time is very short for rehearsal: just over two weeks separate this first rehearsal from the first performance on February 28, in Caen. Each artist therefore arrives well prepared, score in hand. “We’ve all practised the music beforehand, and now we’re getting into the libretto to bring in the dramatic element,” Zachary Wilder explains. “It’s beautiful, that rather naïve Arcadian spirit, not at all ironic; the costumes Paul has just shown us in photos remain very faithful to it. This text and this music are, above all, absolutely honest, and a real joy to perform.”
A Tribute to Harvey Lichtenstein
Harvey Lichtenstein, former director of the Brooklyn Academy of Music, died on February 11, 2017. Les Arts Florissants wish to salute this great man who succeeded in giving way to a world culture, beyond every barrier of time, space or ideas.
The CD "Venezia" is out
Third part of the trilogy dedicated by Paul Agnew to Monteverdi's madrigals, the CD Venezia appears under the label hamonia mundi on February 17, 2017.
