Revolutionary Symphonies
A Unique Musical Event Inspired by Art: Concert Held as Part of the Jacques-Louis David Exhibition at the Louvre Museum.
With the generous support of the Talens Lyriques Patrons’ Circle.
Christoph Willibald Gluck (1714-1787)
Orphée et Eurydice (1774)
Ouverture
Ballet des ombres heureuses et des ombres infernales
François-Joseph Gossec (1734-1829)
Symphonie en si bémol majeur opus 6 nº 6
François Devienne (1759-1803)
Symphonie concertante nº 2 en fa majeur, pour flûte, hautbois, cor et basson
Étienne Nicolas Méhul (1763-1817)
Symphonie n° 2 en ré majeur
CAST
Les Talens Lyriques
Christophe Rousset, direction
« The story of Orpheus and Eurydice is one of profound tragedy. Bitten by a serpent on their wedding day, Eurydice is torn from life, and Orpheus is granted permission by Pluto and Proserpina… on the sole condition that he does not look back. But doubt creeps in ; Eurydice feels abandoned, questioning his love, and in one fatal moment, he turns. That single glance seals her fate. It’s a timeless reminder: love demands constant reassurance, and a single gesture can change everything.
This work forms part of a broader programme tracing the emotional evolution in music and the arts as Europe moves towards the revolutionary era. From Gluck to Méhul, we witness a world in flux– the grandeur of the aristocracy giving way to ideals of liberty and universality. Music, like the paintings of Jacques-Louis David, breathes this spirit of renewal.
And this journey doesn’t focus solely on the great masters. We also give voice to the so-called “petits maîtres” like Salieri, whose influence enriches our understanding of the time. As in painting, it’s often the quieter figures who reveal the true depth of an era. »
– Christophe Rousset