1. What does the name mean?

“The Flourishing Arts”.

2. Where does the name come from?

The name comes from the title of an opera by Marc-Antoine Charpentier, first staged in Paris in 1686.  The opera concerns the arts (Music, Painting, Poetry and Architecture) which flourish in the realm of Peace and overcome the opposition of Discord.  The opera paid homage to King Louis XIV and his love of the arts, and celebrates how all the arts flourished during his reign (1643-1715).

3. Why call a musical group after a 17th century French opera?

Because Les Arts Florissants was founded in Paris and specialises in performing music of the 17th century in a style and using instruments and techniques which were current at that time.

4. When was it founded?

In 1979.

5. Who founded it?

An American harpsichordist called William Christie.

6. Why?

Because he was doing some research in the National Library in Paris and had uncovered so many musical treasures from the archives which had never been performed since the reign of Louis XIV that he decided he should form his own ensemble of singers and instrumentalists to bring these great musical works back to life.

7. Does he still conduct them?

Yes, and under his guidance they have become one of the most highly-regarded “early music” groups in the world today.  But for their visit to Singapore, they are directed by the Scottish tenor Paul Agnew, who has sung with Les Arts Florissants for many years and often directs them in place of Christie.

8. Alongside Paul Agnew, who else is in Les Arts Florissants?

The ensemble is made up of highly skilled singers and instrumentalists who have established an international reputation as performers of early music.  The members coming to Singapore include five singers (sopranos, contraltos, tenors and basses), a theorbo player, a lute player and a harpsichordist.  These are the forces necessary to perform Monteverdi’s Madrigals as they were originally performed in the court of Mantova.