Dear Luters, I thought I'd give a heads up about the following event I'm helping to organise later this month, in case any of you may be in London 21-5 June. I'm giving a short introductory paper, and playing in the final concert too.
Best wishes, Benjamin ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Benjamin Narvey <luthi...@gmail.com> Date: 7 June 2010 18:49 Subject: CONF: Versailles and the 24 Violons du Roi To: American Musicological Society <am...@listserv.indiana.edu> Dear Colleagues, It is my pleasure to announce to you a week of conferences, masterclasses, and performance at the Royal College of Music (London) centred around the 24 violons du roi, the most important orchestra of the seventeenth century. As part of the Musique de la Chambre du roi, its distinctive five-part texture pervaded many manifestations of musical life at the French court, such as incidental music, ballet, and opera; as the first truly professional orchestra, it revolutionised ensemble playing throughout the whole of Europe. The Centre de musique baroque de Versailles (CMBV) has recently commissioned fourteen instruments corresponding to the hautes-contres, tailles, and quintes of the 24 violons, with an aim to eventually recreating the entire orchestra. This unprecedented project is serving to greatly broaden our understanding of so much French baroque repertoire from both musicological and a practical points of view. This joint event between the Royal College of Music, the Institute of Musical Research and the CMBV - undertaken with support from Cultures France and the French Embassy to the United Kingdom - aims to share these instruments with British players, scholars, and audiences. Please find below the programme. Yours truly, Benjamin Narvey Versailles and the 24 Violons du Roi 21 - 25 June 2010 Royal College of Music, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2BS In a stunning coup for the Royal College of Music, our Historical Performance team led by Ashley Solomon are delighted to present the first appearance in 250 years of some very special instruments. Founded in 1626 under Louis XIII, and directed by Lully among others, the "King's 24 Strings" (six violins, twelve violas, six bass violins) is often described as the world's first orchestra. Virtually all of the original instruments have been lost. However they have now been recreated by leading luthiers Antoine Laulhère and Giovanna Chitto. MONDAY 21 JUNE 11.00 Ashley Solomon, introduction and welcome 11.15 - 12.15 Antoine Laulhere & Giovanna Chitto - the luthiers responsible for the instruments 12.30 - 13.20 "The violin at the French royal court (1581-1725): dance, drama and ceremonial." Peter Bennett (Assistant Prof Case Western Reserve) 15.00 - 18.00 Open orchestra rehearsal with 24 violons du roi, Patrick Cohen-Akénine TUESDAY 22 JUNE 10.00 - 13.00 Chamber music workshop, Patrick Cohen-Akénine 15.00 - 18.00 Open orchestral rehearsal, Ingrid Seifert WEDNESDAY 23 JUNE 10.30 - 13.30 Chamber music workshop, Ingrid Seifert 14.00 - 14.30 "An Introduction to the 24 Violons du Roi" Benjamin Narvey (Institute of Musical Research) 14.30 - 15.30 "The Band of Violins at the Court of Charles IX in France" Ben Hebbert (University of Oxford) 15.30 - 16.30 "Lully and Before: the creation of the French Orchestra", Dr Peter Holman 17.30 - 20.30 Open orchestral rehearsal, Sir Roger Norrington THURSDAY 24 JUNE 10.30 - 13.30 Open orchestral rehearsal, Sir Roger Norrington 15.00 - 18.00 Open orchestral rehearsal, Sir Roger Norrington FRIDAY 25 JUNE 10.00 - 11.00 "Gut strings in Transition: Tradition and Experimentation at the Court of Louis XIV", Oliver Webber 11.00 - 13.00 Baroque dance workshop, Kay Norrington 14.00 - 17.00 Open orchestral rehearsal, Sir Roger Norrington 18.00 Concert - Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall Sir Roger Norrington, director Friday's concert presents the first performance to feature all twelve violas and an opportunity to hear the rich inner voices that gave the orchestra its unique sound. The concert includes orchestral music as well as smaller chamber groups, enabling audiences to hear these incredible instruments in detail. Repertoire comprises 17th and 18th century music written for the orchestra, using brand new editions being produced from original manuscripts held at Versailles. Admission to all events (apart from the final concert) is free of charge, and no ticket is required. Concert tickets £5 (Stalls), £8 (balcony) RCM Box Office 020 7591 4314 Weekdays 10.00am - 4.00pm or book online at www.boxoffice.rcm.ac.uk -- Dr Benjamin A. Narvey Institute of Musical Research School of Advanced Study University of London t +33 (0) 1 44 27 03 44 p/m +33 (0) 6 71 79 98 98 Site web/Website: www.luthiste.com luthi...@gmail.com -- Dr Benjamin A. Narvey Institute of Musical Research School of Advanced Study University of London t +33 (0) 1 44 27 03 44 p/m +33 (0) 6 71 79 98 98 Site web/Website: www.luthiste.com To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
