(1645-1704)
With Lucie Skeaping.
1: From the Princess to the Playhouse For over ten years Charpentier lived and worked at the sumptuous mini-court of the Duchess of Guise, one of Paris's most cultured aristocrats, staging operas in her Grand Cabinet for her coterie. Later, his collaboration with Moliere produced some delightful, foot-tapping dances, arias and comic songs. At the same time he was composing a wealth of exquisite church music. Today's programme includes theatre music, three little Noels, based on French carols, the Te Deum and the first part of his masterpiece, the dark and horrifying opera-tragique Medee.