Composer

Following the magical performance of Purcell’s The Fairy Queen at Caramoor in 2024, pioneering conductor and harpsichordist William Christie returns to present the work that gave his renowned Baroque ensemble its name: Les Arts Florissants. In this double bill, two miniature operatic gems by Marc-Antoine Charpentier shimmer with expressive choruses, eloquent declamation, courtly airs, and vibrant instrumental colors, revealing the French composer’s dramatic genius. The performance features soloists from Le Jardin des Voix, the ensemble’s international academy for young singers.

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Charpentier's Les Arts Florissants & La Descente d'Orphée aux enfers

Venetian Theater at Caramoor

Saul’s insane jealousy tests the loving bond between David and Jonathan, ending on the battlefield with suicide and heartbreak. Haymarket returns to French Baroque opulence with the Chicago premiere of Charpentier’s tragic David et Jonathas.

David et Jonathas

Holtschneider Performance Center

Some of these titles may not be familiar to you, but we feel sure that you will recognise many of the melodies!

Baroque Music You Never Knew You Knew

St John's Church Buxton

Celebrate the season with a joyous evening of Baroque and Classical masterpieces, led by the dynamic Patrick Dupré Quigley, known for his engaging, historically-informed interpretations. Charpentier’s Overture to Te Deum opens the program with festive brilliance, followed by Mozart’s youthful Symphony No. 1 and Adolphe Adams beautiful Cantique de Noël. Corelli’s “Christmas Concerto” brings warmth and nostalgia, while Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 3 closes with elegance and grandeur.

Christmas Baroque

Phoenix Convention Center

Amid the holiday hustle, take a moment for a joyous and refined musical escape with the Handel Choir of Baltimore. Bask in the beauty of works by Bach and Mozart, perfectly paired with highlights from Handel's Messiah, in this elegant celebration of the season.

Classical Christmas

Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall

This collection of Baroque Christmas concertos brings together touching pages, at times rustic, naïve or spiritual. These works have been grouped together on an album that has been a huge success ever since, and has even prompted a reissue. A great lover of Christmas traditions, Bernard Labadie revisits these beautiful Baroque pages, with the precision of a goldsmith and the candor of a child.

For Christmas Eve

Palais Montcalm

A long tradition of Christmas concerts connects the Regensburg Cathedral Choir and the Munich Radio Orchestra. And when the renowned lieder singer Benjamin Appl joins the choir, the former Cathedral Choir member meets "his" choir – the perfect setting for an atmospheric Wednesday evening with Christmas classics such as Peter Cornelius's "The Kings," the most beautiful excerpts from Bach's Christmas Oratorio, and many other heartfelt songs, choral pieces, and well-known melodies.

Christmas Classics

Prinzregententheater

David & Jonathan is a French Baroque masterpiece that intertwines sacred drama with operatic splendor. This biblical tragedy tells the timeless story of war and how it pushes us to struggle with fate, loyalty, and the tragic conflict between love and duty. This rarely performed gem brings to life another side of David, whom we know to have slain Goliath, and the romantic love shared between him and Jonathan, son of King Saul. Charpentier’s expressive and lush harmonies pull us into the drama of the anguish of Saul, and the divine forces shaping all of their destinies.

David & Jonathan

West Edge Opera

Timor Dei — Vox Luminis · Meunier

Kollegienkirche

La mezzo-soprano Lea Desandre, formée auprès de William Christie et régulièrement nommée aux Victoires de la musique classique, dont elle a été lauréate en 2017, prête sa voix cristalline à trois siècles de chansons d’amour françaises entrecoupées de solos de luth par Thomas Dunford, qui font le lien entre les époques et les styles. Idylle réunit les œuvres de compositeurs inspirés, de Marc-Antoine Carpentier à Barbara en passant par Debussy et Offenbach, plongeant les auditeurs dans la tradition de la chanson française où l’amour est présenté dans tous ses états et sur tous les tons : triste, joyeux, langoureux ou facétieux…

Lea Desandre (mezzo-soprano) & Thomas Dunford (luth)

National Estate of Chambord

Staged by Opera Atelier’s Co-Artistic Directors Marshall Pynkoski and Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg in 2022 for the Royal Chapel in Versailles, the production created an international sensation, winning prestigious awards as a CD and DVD.

Charpentier’s David and Jonathan

Telus Centre For Performance And Learning

We are very happy that Lea Desandre and Thomas Dunford have agreed at short notice to perform their program "Idylle" in Langenbruck!

Lea Desandre and Thomas Dunford in Langenbruck

Reformierte Kirche Langenbruck

Jean-Baptiste Lully once mocked the sound of the lute as a »mosquito hum«. Fortunately, not all composers saw it like this and appreciated its bright and silvery sound very much. When Thomas Dunford strums the lute, it becomes a heavenly partner for Lea Desandre’s agile mezzo soprano. And does so through all eras: her programme »Idylle« (Paradise) bridges the baroque and chanson.

Lea Desandre / Thomas Dunford / Song Recital

Elbphilharmonie

What could be more splendid, more magnificent, more powerful than the music composed for the wedding of the Sun King Louis XIV? Vincent Dumestre and his baroque ensemble Le Poème Harmonique convey an impression of the unique splendor of this wedding music.

The Harmonic Poem | Vincent Dumestre

Museum Ludwig

The verve and virtuosity of the 18th century is brought to life in this enchanting concert staged in a candle-lit style setting with an evocative programme crowned by Vivaldi’s sublime masterpiece.

Four Seasons by Candlelight

Barbican Centre

Under the artistic direction of Harry Bicket, The English Concert has earned a reputation for combining urgency, passion and fire with precision, delicacy and beauty. The ensemble's festive programme culminates in Bach's first major liturgical composition on a Latin text, with Christmas interpolations.

The English Concert; Harry Bicket; Lucy Crowe soprano; Katie Bray soprano; Jess Dandy alto; James Way tenor; Morgan Pearse bass

Wigmore Hall

A legendary figure in the establishment and development of the Early Music movement, Jordi Savall has contributed as much as any individual to the current popularity of works from the distant past. He brings with him the ensemble he founded 50 years ago, and which retains the sheer vitality and explorative excellence that has marked his entire career. The programme celebrates a tradition of consort music that lasted for two centuries and traversed many countries – with English composers notable for their prominence.

Jordi Savall director, treble viol; Hespèrion XXI Book now

Jordi Savall director, treble viol; Hespèrion XXI

Ahead of two performances at Wigmore Hall, one of the most exceptional figures in today’s music world, Jordi Savall, with Hesperion XXI the ensemble he founded 50 years ago, brings Irish audiences a rousing programme of Fantasies, Battles and Dances. The programme performed by these captivating artists celebrates the golden age of European Consort Music that lasted for two centuries and traversed many countries – with English composers notable for their prominence. Passion and creativity with world-class scholarship guaranteed!

Jordi Savall & Hesperion XXI - Wigmore Series Dublin

Royal Irish Academy of Music

Marc-Antoine Charpentier not only composed the Eurovision anthem - he also wrote magical Christmas masses. They form the heart of an atmospheric Christmas concert with the outstanding singers and instrumentalists of the Ensemble Correspondances.

Correspondence Set | Sébastien Daucé

In the lead-up to Christmas the widely-ranging British soprano presents a seasonal programme in collaboration with a rising star amongst period ensembles.

Lucy Crowe soprano; La Nuova Musica; David Bates director

An unusual meeting of repertoire by Charpentier, Poulenc, and Villette covering a span of over three hundred years, yet connected aesthetically by way of musical sensuousness and elegance.

A FRENCH TWIST - À LA VIERGE. Music For the Virgin Mary and the Nativity

St. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church

Grace Lutheran Church, San Diego

In the world of baroque opera, the impossible comes as standard. Deep in the forest, a huntsman surprises a naked goddess – and finds himself transformed from hunter into prey. A sculptor falls in love with his own beautiful creation; but this time, the gods are smiling and even cold stone can conceal a passionate heart. 

Charpentier’s Actéon and Rameau’s Pygmalion

Milton Court Concert Hall

Presenting “Prelude,” an evening of merriment, featuring toe-tapping live music, delectable cuisine, and more. Join the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra and fellow music aficionados for a memorable night with exciting entertainment, a live auction, and an unforgettable celebration that serves as both the Symphony’s 75th season launch party and a vital fundraiser to support the organization's mission to enrich Wyoming's cultural landscape.   

Prelude

Wells Fargo Bank

A performance by the Oberlin College Choir and the Oberlin Chamber Singers conducted by Gregory Ristow '01 in Warner Concert Hall. This program features a new work by Associate Professor of Horn Jeff Scott.

Concert: Oberlin College Choir and Oberlin Chamber Singers

Oberlin College

In this special abridged evening performance, perfect for the whole family, you’ll hear the Christmas portion (Part I) of Handel’s Messiah along with music of the season by Baroque composers including Michel Richard de Lalande and Marc-Antoine Charpentier. The finely tuned voices of the American Bach Choir and the polished sheen of sonorities brought by ABS’s period-instrument orchestra soar within the majestic interior of San Francisco’s Nob Hill landmark. Together with the best highlights of Handel's peerless composition, ABS will perform Charpentier's Messe de Minuit (“Midnight Mass”), one of the most treasured Christmas compositions from the Parisian Baroque.

A Baroque Christmas 4545

Grace Cathedral

Experience the profound beauty of "Awe and Wonder" with Ars Lyrica Houston on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at 7:30 PM. This enchanting evening will take place at St. Philip Presbyterian Church, located at 4807 San Felipe St, offering a journey through major works for chorus and orchestra that explore the creation story and the incarnation of Christ.

The program features C. P. E. Bach's setting of Friedrich Klopstock’s "Morning Song on the Feast of Creation," blending Enlightenment thought with Christian theology, and Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s "Midnight Mass for Christmas," which infuses the canonical text with the melodies of French carols. Adding to the festive spirit, Heinrich Biber’s "Serenade of the Nightwatchman" promises to set an expectant tone for the holiday season.

The performance will showcase the talents of Julia Fox, Amia Langer, Michael Skarke, Sarah Dyer, Thomas O'Neill, Hayden Smith, Joeavian Rivera, and Christopher Besch, marking an Ars Lyrica debut for some. This event is a highlight of Ars Lyrica's 20th anniversary season, celebrating "20 Years of Magic."

Tickets are available for in-person attendance, with seating on a first-come, first-served basis. Special rates are offered for students with a promo code and valid ID. Please note, this concert will not be live-streamed.

Join us for an evening of "Awe and Wonder," where sublime simplicity and musical brilliance come together for a memorable holiday celebration.

Awe and Wonder

Saint Philip Presbyterian Church

Orpheum Theatre, Galesburg

Immerse yourself in the opulent sounds of the Baroque era with the "Voices of Versailles" concert, a highlight of the 2023/24 season presented by the Sebastians. This enchanting evening is scheduled for Saturday, November 18, 2023, at 5pm, taking place at the historic Good Shepherd-Faith Presbyterian Church, located at 152 West 66th St., nestled between Broadway and Amsterdam.

"Voices of Versailles" promises a rich auditory feast, featuring the combined talents of the eight singers from the Yale Voxtet and the Sebastians’ core quartet, which includes two violins, a cello, and a harpsichord. The ensemble will be further enhanced with the addition of recorders, oboes, viola, violone, and theorbo, creating a full-bodied sound that is sure to transport the audience back to the grandeur of the French Baroque period.

The concert's program is centered around Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s "La Couronne de fleurs," and will also include works by Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre, Jean-Baptiste Lully, Henry Purcell, and Jean-Féry Rebel, among others. The performance is expected to last between 80 and 90 minutes and will proceed without an intermission, ensuring an uninterrupted experience of sublime music.

Performers for the evening include notable musicians such as Margaret Owens and Geoffrey Burgess on oboe and recorder, Daniel Lee and Nicholas DiEugenio on violin, Annie Garlid on viola, Ezra Seltzer on cello, Nathaniel Chase on violone, Charles Weaver on theorbo, and Jeffrey Grossman on harpsichord, alongside the talented vocalists of the Yale Voxtet.

In keeping with the Sebastians' commitment to accessibility and community engagement, students of any age can attend the concert for free, subject to ticket availability and proof of student status. Additionally, community comp tickets are available for those who wish to attend but may find the cost prohibitive.

The Sebastians prioritize the health and safety of performers, staff, and audience members. While the event is currently mask-optional, the organization remains vigilant and may adjust policies in response to local health conditions. Attendees are encouraged to stay informed of any changes and to make responsible decisions regarding their own health and safety.

Don't miss this opportunity to experience the "Voices of Versailles" and be swept away by the beauty and elegance of French Baroque music. Reserve your tickets now for an unforgettable evening of historical musical treasures.

Voices of Versailles

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

Fifth Annual Holiday Baroque: The London Handel Players celebrate the holiday season with Scarlatti’s Christmas Cantata, music from Handel’s Messiah and Bach’s Christmas Oratorio plus works by Vivaldi, Corelli, and more.

London Handel Players

Christ Church Grosse Pointe

The Danish String Quartet is an elite chamber-music group by any definition: an unusually ambitious quartet teeming with personality and programmatic insights that make them magnetic in any setting.   The Boston Globe touched on how special they are in a review that described “a concert that was as comprehensively rewarding as any chamber-music performance in recent memory… Do not lose track of this group: Even by today’s high standards, it offers something very special.” That’s the truth; in a musical landscape with more high-level talent than most people have time to absorb, it’s worth taking note when groups are routinely described as in a league of their own. This is one of those groups.  In their return to Boston, the Danish String Quartet will present a uniquely curated suite of dances—filling the standard movements such as allemande, courante, and sarabande with works by composers ranging from from Marc-Antoine Charpentier to John Adams; and, finally, Franz Schubert’s String Quartet in G Major, D.887, called his “last and greatest work” (Gramophone).

The Danish String Quartet

First Church in Cambridge

A lyric tragedy in five acts and a prologue. Composed in 1693 for the Royal Academy of Music, with a libretto by Thomas Corneille. Premiered on December 4, 1693 in Paris.

Medea

Opéra Comédie

The 2026/27 Visions & Visionaries season begins with musical depictions of the hunt, a favorite aristocratic pastime with potentially lethal consequences. Charpentier’s chamber opera Actéon tells the tale of a hunter whose brief vision of Diana proves fatal, while Rameau’s Hippolyte et Aricie relates the story of two lovers who, while fleeing a vengeful stepmother, enjoy a brief hunt in the forest. Both feature tenor Richard Pittsinger in his Ars Lyrica debut. Heinichen’s Concerto in F Major spotlights the horns and oboes, traditional instruments of the hunt.

Hunter’s Prey

Hobby Center for the Performing Arts

Love, loss and revenge… join us for a vivid evening of music based on ancient Greek myths, interspersed with illuminating, witty contributions from stand-up classicist Natalie Haynes.

Britten Sinfonia’s Ancient Greek Meze

Although Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s music may be best known for the opening fanfare and signature tune for all Eurovision broadcasts, he was in fact one of seventeenth-century France’s major composers, celebrated particularly for his Te Deum and Messe de minuit.

New Sussex Opera - Charpentier's David And Jonathan

Eastbourne Theatres

Celebrate the season with the radiant sounds of the Baroque era at the historic Orpheum Theatre. Conductor Gary Thor Wedow leads The Phoenix Symphony in festive masterworks by Johann Sebastian Bach, Marc-Antoine Charpentier, Giuseppe Torelli, Alessandro Scarlatti, and Giovanni Gabrieli. Featuring soprano Vanessa Becerra and harpsichordist Elliott Figg, this elegant program captures the joy, warmth, and brilliance of the holiday season.

Holiday Baroque

Drei Engel & Händel

Church of Saints Simon and Jude

The ensemble Il Caravaggio, founded by harpsichordist and conductor Camille Delaforge, celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. With its fresh, vivid interpretations, it has established itself as one of the leading ensembles on the early music scene. Its programme Witch brings together highly dramatic Baroque cantatas: Henry Purcell’s cantata In guilty night, in which King Saul encounters the Witch of Endor; Giovanni Battista Ferrandini’s moving lament Il pianto di Maria and Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s powerful Le Reniement de Saint-Pierre. The concert concludes with Purcell’s hymn-like celebration of music.

Composer

Marc-Antoine Charpentier

Events

Upcoming events

Sep 22, 2026

Medea · Opéra Orchestre National Montpellier

Sep 25, 2026

Hunter’s Prey · Hobby Center for the Performing Arts

Oct 22, 2026

Britten Sinfonia’s Ancient Greek Meze · Barbican Centre

Oct 23, 2026

New Sussex Opera - Charpentier's David And Jonathan · Eastbourne Theatres

18 - 20 Dec, 2026

Holiday Baroque · Phoenix Symphony

Past events

Jul 17, 2026

Charpentier's Les Arts Florissants & La Descente d'Orphée aux enfers · Caramoor

Jun 21, 2026

David et Jonathas · Haymarket Opera Company

About

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