The Last Days of the Sun-Kings

From Paris and Versailles to the Revolution! This programme explores the wealth of music, poetry and prose from the courts and theatres of 17th and 18th century France. Airs dedicated to Louis XIV by Michel Lambert are contrasted with the more Italianate style of Michel Pignolet de Montéclair in two of his finest cantatas. The first, 'Le Triomphe de l'Amour', portrays a battle between Love and Bacchus whilst the second cantata, 'Morte di Lucretia', depicts the tragic tale of the Roman heroine Lucretia, who preferred death to dishonour. Harpsichord music by Jean-Philippe Rameau is also performed next to one of Couperin's earliest trio sonatas, 'La Pucelle', and a cello sonata from Michel Corrette's charming Les délices de la solitude.

Readings from plays by Corneille, Molière and Racine are contrasted with extracts from the letters of Madame de Sévigné, which create an extraordinarily vivid picture of life at the court of Louis XIV, discussing everything from court scandal to the intrigues of the King's mistresses. An evening which captures the glory and splendour of the final days of the Bourbons.