Royal Chapel

Bach : "Jubilate" Sunday Cantatas

John Eliot Gardiner explores Bach’s cantatas according to the liturgical calendar, with this first concert dedicated to Jubilate Sunday. A masterful celebration of Bach’s sacred music.

Mozart : Requiem

Mozart’s Requiem, an unfinished yet timeless masterpiece, combines sacred depth with emotional power. Since then, the work has captivated audiences through its many interpretations and the poignant impact of its final notes.

Handel : Theodora

In Theodora, Handel presents a profoundly moving spiritual reflection on the martyrdom of a young Christian woman. Thomas Dunford and Lea Desandre offer a performance of exceptional intensity.

Charpentier : Messe de Minuit

While the Te Deum brought Charpentier fame, the Messe de Minuit fully showcases his genius, gracefully blending the sacred and the secular. Inspired by popular melodies, it captivates with its freshness, joy, and refinement. Gaétan Jarry and the ensemble Marguerite Louise bring out its fervour and the true spirit of Christmas.

Requiem pour Louis Ier d'Espagne

In 1725, José de Torres honoured Louis I with his Misa de difuntos, blending French influences with the richness of Spanish Baroque. Francisco Corselli’s Dies Irae completes this tribute to Philip V. Alberto Miguélez Rouco brings these rare works vividly back to life at the Royal Chapel of Versailles.

Purcell : Hail ! Bright Cecilia

With Hail! Bright Cecilia, Purcell honours the patron saint of music in a magnificent ode that epitomises the English Baroque. Composed in 1692, it captures the artistic vitality of seventeenth-century England. Vincent Dumestre and Le Poème Harmonique bring out its full expressive richness in a performance both vibrant and finely nuanced.

Clérambault - Te Deum - Histoire de la femme adultère

Clérambault brings new life to the oratorio with L'histoire de la femme adultère. A nocte temporis, under the direction of Reinoud Van Mechelen, delivers a striking performance. The Choeur de Chambre de Namur shines in a grand and majestic Te Deum.

Charpentier - Missa Assumpta Est Maria

At the height of his artistry, Marc-Antoine Charpentier composed Assumpta est Maria around 1669, a mass that blends Italian influences with the French style. Combining devotion and virtuosity, it remains a masterpiece of Baroque sacred music. Gaétan Jarry and the Marguerite Louise ensemble deliver an expressive and solemn interpretation.

Apparatus musico-organisticus

Georg Muffat's Apparatus musico-organisticus, published in 1690, showcases his genius by blending European styles and exploring the baroque organ. Bernard Foccroulle brings out the splendour of the toccatas on a French organ, accompanied by Marie Rouquié for the Sonata a violino solo.

Monteverdi - Vespro Della Madonna

At the end of his life, Monteverdi gathered all of his works to guide musicians during religious services. This composer, who shaped sacred music for nearly a century, is now celebrated by Vincent Dumestre and Le Poème Harmonique, who have created a program for him that resonates like his musical testament.

La Naissance de Versailles

In 1607, Louis XIII discovered Versailles with his father, Henry IV, and began constructing a hunting lodge there in 1623. Jean-Baptiste Nicolas envisioned a religious ceremony to mark this occasion, featuring the Grand Mass of Formé, motets, resounding fanfares, and choirs for a grand musical celebration.

La Passion selon Saint Jean

Bach's St. John Passion, composed in 1724, is a grand and moving masterpiece that continues to captivate audiences with its profound humanity. To celebrate its 300th anniversary, the Royal Opera Orchestra, conducted by Gaétan Jarry, along with the prestigious Tölzer Knabenchor, renowned for its excellence in sacred music, will perform this magnificent work.