William Christie, dubbed the “Pope of the Baroque,” and his ensemble Les Arts Florissants invite us on a journey of harmony and pleasure: Handel’s unique “pastoral ode,” both an enchanting allegory of the virtues of Nature and a poetic reflection on our place within it. A precursor of Haydn and Beethoven, Caro Sassone is by turns bucolic, carefree, ecstatic, then spiritual and majestic—oscillating between gaiety (Allegro) and contemplation (Il Penseroso)—as if he had written it specifically for the Amphithéâtre… These exquisite pages are performed by the soloists of the famous Jardin des Voix. A first for the Festival, and another exclusive North American appearance!
George Frideric Handel, Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55
(version reworked by William Christie)
