Est-ce Mars - Court songs from 17th century Paris

Trio Joel Frederiksen (USA/France/Luxembourg)

I am very much looking forward to Leipzig! Thank you, Amarcord, for the wonderful invitation!

In the field of tension between Venus, the goddess of love, and Mars, the god of war, the program reflects the musical scene at the French courts around 1600. The program opens with Antoine Boësset's “Ballet du Roy” with amusing remarks about music and a hymn to Mars, composed for a bass voice. This is followed by the song - “Eau vive”, in which the fire of love cannot be extinguished by water alone, and “N'espérez plus, mes yeux”, with virtuoso “Doubles”, in “Amour grand vainquer” the battle between love and beauty breaks out. Instrumental music by Robert Ballard and the song “Adorable Princesse” by Pierre Guédron, dedicated to Maria de Medici, can also be heard. The last part of the concert revolves around the song “Est-ce Mars”, which plays with the contrasting characters of the famous mythological lovers Mars and Venus.

Ensemble Phoenix Munich
Giovanna Baviera (mezzo, gamba)
Emma-Lisa Roux (soprano, lute)
Joel Frederiksen (bass, lute, conductor)