Performer: Laurence Equilbey

Gorgeous French music, polished choral singing and excellent soloists are marred by an overwhelmingly dark timbre and unsympathetic video.

Violinist Blake Pouliot, cellist Bryan Cheng, and pianist Angela Hewitt, all previous winners of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal’s Concours, return to perform Beethoven’s Triple Concerto.

Laurence Equilbey makes a convincing case for a younger, fresher Fidelio played on period instruments.

Ahead of performances with Insula orchestra in February, the South Korean pianist talks about taking inspiration from Beethoven’s harmony, early pianos, and making musical choices that are maximally persuasive.

Simon Rattle called Robert Schumann’s strange, Orientalist oratorio “the greatest masterpiece you’ve never heard of”. We discover this enigmatic piece ahead of Insula orchestra’s production at La Seine Musicale.

Founded by Laurence Equilbey, cutting-edge period ensemble Insula orchestra is at the heart of La Seine Musicale’s classical season, which features guest ensembles and soloists from around the world.