Les Siècles

Ravel, Massenet and Chabrier played on period instruments is a billing which would have slotted comfortably into Gabriel Astruc’s early seasons at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées. A century later, Ravel has earned his stripes as one of the most frequently performed composers in the world, but the important legacy of Chabrier and Massenet is more rarely championed by modern orchestras. Les Siècles are very familiar with them; as well as having a deep love of early twentieth-century French music, the avenue Montaigne orchestra in residence likes to rediscover and blow the dust off forgotten gems of repertoire. Massenet’s Concerto for Piano will sparkle under the fingers of Bertrand Chamayou, a regular collaborator with Les Siècles, and the Marche Joyeuse and España by Chabrier will chime beautifully with the dazzling colours of the orchestra’s period instruments. The better-known Valses nobles et sentimentales by Ravel will act as a prelude in the second half to Ma Mère l’Oye, a suite for orchestra with an unusual performer: the pencil of Grégoire Pont, who will illustrate Ravel’s masterpiece in real time.
While conductor Pierre Bleuse has particularly distinguished himself in the contemporary repertoire, leading to his appointment in 2023 as head of the Ensemble Intercontemporain, he has demonstrated for many years a notably broad range of interpretation, encompassing opera, symphonic, and chamber music (he has also been the artistic director of the Prades Festival since 2021).

Coproduction Théâtre des Champs-Elysées | Les Siècles