‘Les Musiciens du Louvre & Marc Minkowski’

Some 20 years ago, Marc Minkowski and Les Musiciens du Louvre brought together choreographic music by Jean-Philippe Rameau under the title Symphonie imaginaire. These passionate 'ramists' have created a sequel entitled Nouvelle symphonie; it is a new compilation, this time featuring the voice - in this case that of the brilliant baritone Thomas Dolié. Rameau's inventive spirit, melodic intelligence and harmonic and orchestral knowledge are illustrated by a selection of emblematic arias from masterpieces such as Castor et Pollux, Les Indes galantes, Les Paladins, and Hippolyte et Aricie, as well as overtures, dance arias, and other orchestral pieces that mark the glory of this French Baroque genius. It is a varied programme that Marc Minkowski created "not (as) a gala with voices, but works in which the voice emerges, like certain symphonies by Mahler or Beethoven's Ninth."