FETE GALANTE: THE ANATOMY OF MELANCHOLY

May 17 | Italian Academy

Sherezade Panthaki, soprano
Four Nations Ensemble:
Kathie Stewart, flute
Olivier Brault, violin
Jaap Terlinden, viola da gamba and cello
Adam Cockerham, lute
Andrew Appel, harpsichord

Illustrated talk by Tav Holmes

Leclair — Second Musical Recreation      
Clérambault — L'Isle de Délos
Devienne — Trio for flute, violin and cello in G minor
Telemann — Paris Quartet No.5 in A major  

Out of the dark final years of the reign of Louis XIV came a new style of art characterized by freshness, elegance and sensuality. While Versailles was draped in the heavy fabrics of guilt and failure, penance and penitence, Antoine Watteau was breaking with tradition, creating the new genre of the fête galante. His delicate brushstrokes and mastery of color and nuance are echoed in the music of his contemporary François Couperin. As art historian Tav Holmes guides us through the unique, idealized world of Watteau, Boucher and Fragonard, the Four Nations Ensemble and soprano Sherezade Panthaki will perform works of equally evocative beauty by Leclair, Clérambault, Devienne, and Telemann.