Performer: Sophie Daneman

‘Fêtes Galantes’ is one of those glorious French phrases that sounds so wonderful but is nigh on impossible to translate. Rather than having any concrete meaning, it evokes Watteau-esque imagery of woodland gatherings, where eighteenth-century aristocrats amuse themselves by flirting, dancing and making music.

The Holywell Music Room in Oxford, with its bright and reverberant sound, was purpose-built as a concert hall, and opened in 1748. To hear four experienced and top-class singers last night, all of whom were able to work the specifics of this unique and historic room, to sing to it and use it as their instrument, was sheer joy.

Au fil d'un programme original qui rendait un bel hommage à Julie Andrews, la chanteuse, le luthiste-chef et l'ensemble ont proposé un spectacle en forme de parenthèse enchantée.

La Programación Lírica de A Coruña cierra su edición con la divertida ópera de Handel Partenope.

Sur le miroir d'eau, au cœur des jardins de William Christie, Les Arts Florissants et les lauréats du Jardin des Voix ont donné une Partenope d'anthologie.