CONCERT | SEPT
PLEASURES
OF VERSAILLES
This is a delightful evening of refined decadence and sophisticated pleasures, a perfect moment to celebrate the glorious music of the French Baroque, and the sweet simplicity of life itself.
In 1682, Louis XIV initiated the “Fêtes d’appartement”, a series of festivities in the intimate rooms of the Grand Apartments at the Palace of Versailles. Three times a week, from 6 until 10 in the evening, a variety of entertainments were held for the enjoyment of the king and his favourites. Here, Pinchgut presents theatrical representations of two of these divertissements, or “tiny operas” by Charpentier.
Amor vince ogni cosa, a tiny opera on the theme “true love conquers all,” perfectly illustrates Charpentier’s integration of fashionable Italian techniques. Les Plaisirs de Versailles is a witty allegory of an evening’s pleasures at Versailles. An argument between the refined Music and the chattering Conversation is mediated by Comus, the god of feasting, who offers everyone hot chocolate, wine and nibbles – to no avail. Gambling fares no better with his offerings, but laughter reconciles all discontent!
An exceptional artistic team, featuring movement director Shannon Burns (Platée, 2021 and Orontea, 2022) and soloists including sensational sopranos Cathy-Di Zhang (Platée), Sofia Troncoso (Orontea) and Michael Petruccelli (Médée) are joined by an expert ensemble of instrumentalists to deliver a musical experience for our audiences to relish.
PROGRAM
Pleasures of Versailles (1682) by Marc-Antoine Charpentier
CITY RECITAL HALL, SYDNEY
Sat 9 Sep 2pm | Sun 10 Sep 5pm
MELBOURNE RECITAL CENTRE
Thu 14 Sep 7pm | Fri 15 Sep 7pm
Sung in French with English surtitles
Running time 75 minutes, no interval
Tickets $62 - 169
Under 35s $35
Booking two or more 2023 productions? Click Subscribe to receive 10% off tickets and enjoy more benefits.
Artistic Director
Erin Helyard
Erin Helyard has been acclaimed as an inspiring conductor, a virtuosic and expressive performer of the harpsichord and fortepiano, and as a lucid scholar who is passionate about promoting discourse between musicology and performance.
Erin graduated in harpsichord performance from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music with first-class honours and the University Medal. He completed his Masters in fortepiano performance and a PhD in musicology with Tom Beghin at the Schulich School of Music, McGill University, Montreal. He was named the Westfield Concert Scholar (Cornell University) on fortepiano for 2009-2010 and from 2003 to 2012 Erin was a central member of the award-winning Ensemble Caprice (Montreal). As Artistic Director and co-founder of the celebrated Pinchgut Opera and the Orchestra of the Antipodes (Sydney) he has forged new standards of excellence in historically-informed performance in Australia.
Artistic Director
Erin Helyard
Erin Helyard has been acclaimed as an inspiring conductor, a virtuosic and expressive performer of the harpsichord and fortepiano, and as a lucid scholar who is passionate about promoting discourse between musicology and performance.
Erin graduated in harpsichord performance from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music with first-class honours and the University Medal. He completed his Masters in fortepiano performance and a PhD in musicology with Tom Beghin at the Schulich School of Music, McGill University, Montreal. He was named the Westfield Concert Scholar (Cornell University) on fortepiano for 2009-2010 and from 2003 to 2012 Erin was a central member of the award-winning Ensemble Caprice (Montreal). As Artistic Director and co-founder of the celebrated Pinchgut Opera and the Orchestra of the Antipodes (Sydney) he has forged new standards of excellence in historically-informed performance in Australia.
Our Team
Artistic Director
Erin Helyard
Erin Helyard has been acclaimed as an inspiring conductor, a virtuosic and expressive performer of the harpsichord and fortepiano, and as a lucid scholar who is passionate about promoting discourse between musicology and performance.
Erin graduated in harpsichord performance from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music with first-class honours and the University Medal. He completed his Masters in fortepiano performance and a PhD in musicology with Tom Beghin at the Schulich School of Music, McGill University, Montreal. He was named the Westfield Concert Scholar (Cornell University) on fortepiano for 2009-2010 and from 2003 to 2012 Erin was a central member of the award-winning Ensemble Caprice (Montreal). As Artistic Director and co-founder of the celebrated Pinchgut Opera and the Orchestra of the Antipodes (Sydney) he has forged new standards of excellence in historically-informed performance in Australia.