La Camerata Chromatica
Wednesday July 29th - 9 pm / Church of Valloire
The great prophecy of the Sibyls
Word and mystery in the time of Lassus
by La Camerata Chromatica, direction Benjamin Delale
By immersing themselves in a mystical trance, the Sibyls, famous Greek priestesses, were able to converse with the gods and read the future. This millennial myth was reinterpreted in the Midde Ages and the Renaissance as a prophecy of the coming of Christ.
Orlando di Lasso, the “prince of musicians”, gave his own interpretation of the prediction. Composed in 1555 by Lassus for the Duke of Bavaria, his Prophetiae Sybillarum were already viewed in his lifetime, especially by the very high aristocracy
throughout Europe, as his main masterpiece. These delirious visions, among the most striking of their time, take us to new musical and poetic territories, as do the works of other composers among the most experimental of the time, such as Nicola Vicentino or Giuseppe Caimo.
Especially for this programme, La Camerata Chromatica welcomes a seventh member, Olivier Bizot, a deep-voiced bass singer who completes the vocal line-up and allows the ensemble to explore new territories of sound.
La Camerata Chromatica
La Camerata Chromatica is a vocal and instrumental ensemble dedicated to rediscovering and promoting chromatic music of the 16th and 17th centuries, a repertoire that is most often disregarded. Their dynamic, passionate and innovative approach aims at making these works accessible to as many people as possible.
The ensemble combines voices, period instruments (recorders, violas da gamba) and a historic great organ. Thanks to this variety of timbres and in-depth research, the musicians reveal the poetic power of this repertoire, immersing the audience in a dazzling universe, altogether mysterious, virtuoso and sensual.
The programmes of La Camerata Chromatica explore various formats: full ensemble, small vocal or instrumental groups, solo voice with accompaniment, and polyphony for keyboard. Such flexibility offers a novel sound experience in which each concert becomes a unique journey.
Inspired by poetry, chromatic music lays the emphasis on a clear and natural pronunciation of the text, as well as an accurate respect of its accentuation and rhythm. By imitating spoken language, the instrumentalists create a captivating illusion in which voices and instruments become the interpreters of the same poem.
Gabrielle Varbetian – soprano
For Gabrielle, singing is the most obvious means of expressing herself, and she knows better than anyone else how to communicate her solar energy to the audience. Full of finesse and colour, her voice sweeps us into an ethereal, captivating world. She always has a smile on her face and proudly displays her Marseilles identity.
Nicolas Kuntzelmann – countertenor
A promising young singer with a subtle, light voice, Nicolas is pursuing his career while remaining true to his musical passions. He always offers tempered, pondered musical advice. He is a generous performer whose voice brings us unforgettable aesthetic experiences.
Programme
Pieces by Athenaeus, Orlando di Lasso, Nicola Vicentino, Giuseppe Caimo, Benjamin Delale.
Cast
Gabrielle Varbetian – soprano
Nicolas Kuntzelmann – countertenor
Olivier Bizot – bass
Victoire Fellonneau – recorder
Bérénice Brejon de Lavergnée – recorder
Pauline Chiama – viola da gamba
Benjamin Delale – organ