Genre

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Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Le Concert d'Astrée is a French classical music ensemble that specializes in Baroque and Classical music. Founded in 2000 by harpsichordist and conductor Emmanuelle Haïm, the ensemble has gained international recognition for its innovative and dynamic performances. Emmanuelle Haïm was born in Paris in 1967 and began studying the piano at a young age. She later switched to the harpsichord and studied with renowned harpsichordist Kenneth Gilbert at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris. After completing her studies, Haïm worked as a continuo player and soloist with various Baroque ensembles, including Les Arts Florissants and William Christie's Les Arts Florissants. In 2000, Haïm founded Le Concert d'Astrée with the aim of exploring the rich repertoire of Baroque and Classical music. The ensemble takes its name from the opera L'Orfeo by Claudio Monteverdi, which features the character of Orfeo traveling to the underworld on a chariot pulled by horses named Astrée and Arion. The ensemble's core members include Emmanuelle Haïm on harpsichord and conducting, soprano Natalie Dessay, countertenor Philippe Jaroussky, and violinist David Plantier. Other regular members include cellist Xavier Gagnepain, flutist Alexis Kossenko, and oboist Patrick Beaugiraud. Le Concert d'Astrée has performed at major concert halls and festivals around the world, including the Salzburg Festival, the Edinburgh International Festival, and the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris. The ensemble has also collaborated with renowned soloists such as mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter and violinist Isabelle Faust. One of the ensemble's most notable performances was their 2004 production of Handel's opera Giulio Cesare at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. The production, which featured Natalie Dessay in the role of Cleopatra, received critical acclaim and was later released on DVD. Le Concert d'Astrée has also received numerous awards and accolades for their recordings. Their 2008 recording of Handel's opera Alcina, featuring soprano Renée Fleming, won a Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording. The ensemble's recordings of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos and Mozart's Requiem have also received critical acclaim. In addition to their performances and recordings, Le Concert d'Astrée is committed to music education and outreach. The ensemble regularly conducts workshops and masterclasses for young musicians, and has collaborated with the Paris Conservatory and the Juilliard School in New York. Overall, Le Concert d'Astrée has established itself as one of the leading Baroque ensembles in the world, known for their innovative and dynamic performances and their commitment to music education and outreach.

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