Role

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Ensemble

 

Le Concert d'Astrée Orchestra is a French classical music ensemble that was founded in 2000 by the harpsichordist and conductor Emmanuelle Haïm. The ensemble is named after the opera L'Astrée by Jean de La Fontaine, which was composed by Michel Lambert in 1668. The name reflects the ensemble's commitment to performing Baroque and Classical music from the 17th and 18th centuries. Emmanuelle Haïm was born in Paris in 1967 and began studying the piano at the age of seven. She later switched to the harpsichord and studied with the renowned harpsichordist Kenneth Gilbert. Haïm quickly established herself as a leading performer of Baroque music and worked with many of the world's top ensembles, including Les Arts Florissants and Les Musiciens du Louvre. In 2000, Haïm decided to form her own ensemble, Le Concert d'Astrée Orchestra. The ensemble's first concert was held in Paris in November of that year and featured music by Handel, Rameau, and Purcell. The concert was a great success, and the ensemble quickly gained a reputation for its lively and engaging performances. Le Concert d'Astrée Orchestra is made up of a core group of musicians who perform regularly with the ensemble, as well as a larger pool of guest musicians who are brought in for specific projects. The core group includes some of the top Baroque musicians in Europe, including violinist David Plantier, cellist Atsushi Sakaï, and flutist Alexis Kossenko. Over the years, Le Concert d'Astrée Orchestra has performed at many of the world's top concert halls and festivals, including the Salzburg Festival, the Edinburgh International Festival, and the BBC Proms. The ensemble has also collaborated with some of the world's top soloists, including mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter, soprano Natalie Dessay, and countertenor Philippe Jaroussky. One of the highlights of Le Concert d'Astrée Orchestra's career was its performance of Handel's opera Giulio Cesare at the Glyndebourne Festival in 2005. The production, which was directed by David McVicar and starred Danielle de Niese and Sarah Connolly, was a critical and commercial success and helped to establish Le Concert d'Astrée Orchestra as one of the top Baroque ensembles in the world. In addition to its performances, Le Concert d'Astrée Orchestra has also released several acclaimed recordings. The ensemble's recording of Handel's opera Alcina, which was released in 2010 and featured Natalie Dessay in the title role, won the prestigious Gramophone Award for Best Baroque Vocal Recording. Le Concert d'Astrée Orchestra has also been recognized for its contributions to the world of classical music. In 2012, the ensemble was awarded the Victoire de la Musique Classique, which is the highest honor in French classical music. The award recognized Le Concert d'Astrée Orchestra's "outstanding contribution to the promotion and dissemination of Baroque music." Today, Le Concert d'Astrée Orchestra continues to be one of the top Baroque ensembles in the world. The ensemble's commitment to performing music from the 17th and 18th centuries with energy and passion has won it a devoted following among classical music fans around the globe. With Emmanuelle Haïm at the helm, Le Concert d'Astrée Orchestra is sure to continue to delight audiences for many years to come.

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