Tuesday, July 28 – 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. / Valloire Church
Checkers
by Amarillis, directed by Héloïse Gaillard
Fun and enjoyment
The morning concert, dedicated to entertainment, playfully explores the theme of checkers. The titles of the selected works reflect this theme: pleasures, amusements, happy hours… Les Tours de passe-passe, meanwhile, are a response to a chaconne by the famous guitarist Robert de Visée. The program opens with the only sonata for alto recorder by composer Anne Philidor (1712), featuring a skillfully contrasting structure that blends Italian and French influences.
Let us allow Couperin himself to shed light on his creative process: “I always had a specific purpose in mind when composing these pieces; various occasions inspired them; thus, the titles reflect the ideas I had.” An invitation to let yourself be surprised and captivated by these musical portraits.
A Portrait of Love
Ritratto del amore: Seeking to bring together French and Italian sensibilities, François Couperin chose an Italian title for his ninth Concert, published in his collection *Les Goûts réunis* (1724). The pieces selected all bear titles evocative of their character: thus Le Charme will be performed gracefully, Le Je-ne-sçays-quoy with mischief, and L’Enjoüement with intoxicating cheerfulness…
Since the composer left the choice of instrumentation open, flutes and oboes will be used here to add a different musical color to each piece. To round out this “map of tenderness,” other pieces by Couperin, drawn from his Books for Harpsichord (La Mystérieuse, L’Enchanteresse, La Favorite), as well as works by Duphly (Les Grâces) and Michel de La Barre (L’Inconnue), enrich this poetic and sensual journey.
Programme
Works by Anne Danican Philidor, François Couperin, Robert de Visée, Gaultier de Marseille, Jacques-Martin Hotteterre, Jacques Duphly, and Michel de La Barre.
Cast
Héloïse Gaillard, recorders, baroque oboe, and artistic director
Jeanne Jourquin, harpsichord
Amarillis
Founded in 1994 by Héloïse Gaillard, Amarillis is a musical ensemble that brings together exceptional artists around an ambitious artistic project blending Baroque music with interdisciplinary dialogue. It is acclaimed for its extensive discography (24 albums) and its performances at prestigious venues, both in France and internationally (Europe, Latin America, Asia, etc.).
Amarillis explores lesser-known Baroque repertoires and creates original programs (Jeux de dames, Amour et mascarade with Patricia Petibon). The ensemble also collaborates with other art forms (jazz, theater, dance) and is actively involved in education, notably through the Les Chants d’Ulysse International Academy (2023), which it co-founded with Patricia Petibon.
Héloïse Gaillard – recorders, baroque oboe, and artistic director
A baroque flutist and oboist, Héloïse Gaillard is a soloist of international renown. She has not only recorded 24 albums with Amarillis but has also taught at various institutions, notably the CRR in Aix-en-Provence and the CNSMD in Paris. An Officer of the National Order of Merit, she has served as artistic director of cultural affairs for Saumur Val de Loire since 2021.
Jeanne Jourquin – harpsichord
A harpsichordist and graduate of the Paris and Amsterdam Conservatories, Jeanne Jourquin combines artistic performance, musicological research, and teaching (at the Pantin Regional Conservatory). She performs with numerous renowned ensembles, including Amarillis, Scherzi Musicali (N. Achten), Café Zimmermann (P. Valetti), and La Tempête (S.P. Bestion) …
The Amarillis Ensemble is state-funded through the DRAC of the Pays de la Loire region and receives support from the city of Angers.
The Amarillis Ensemble is a member of the Federation of Specialized Vocal and Instrumental Ensembles and of Scène Ensemble.