Te Deum / Caecilia · Charpentier & Purcell
11.04.22 ___ 20:00
Auditorium de Lyon, Lyon
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The story of Caecilia, patron of music, sends us back to ancient times.Worshiped after her death, many musical legends have been linked to her story. Princess of Guise – who protected Charpentier for twenty years – asked him many times to compose works in honor of this major his- torical figure, a « strong woman » as she appreciated them. Charpentier’s first sacred story dedicated to Caecilia (Caecilia virgo et Martyr) finds inspiration in roman music, especially from Carissimi’s oratorios and other roman masters of the 16th century.The voices, the two orchestras and two choirs are making of this piece a true exception in 17th century France.This sacred fresque is one of the composer’s most original work, treated at first with drama that quickly transforms into jubilation, particularly with the organ part written as an apotheosis.
Saint Caecilia’s cult quickly becomes popular over sea: Purcell writes for her many pieces, like Charpentier.The most accomplished one – and probably the most appreciated since its creation – is Hail! Bright Cecilia!. Composed at the end of his short life, this work could be a synthesis of Purcell’s art. Relating these two composers is far from being arbitrary.The two musicians, geographically separated by a sea (no sign proves that they met) are showing troubling ressemblances: in their ability to both sing and compose, their taste for rich harmony and adroit counterpoint, their melodic inventiveness or their sens of innovation, everything seems to link these two contemporary composers.
PROGRAMME
Marc-Antoine Charpentier · Te Deum H. 146
Henry Purcell · Ode à Sainte-Cécile, « Hail Bright Cecilia »
Booking informations : Auditorium de Lyon
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