Founded in Lyon in 2009, Correspondances brings together under the direction of the harpsichordist and organist Sébastien Daucé a group of singers and instrumentalists, all of whom are specialists in the music of the Grand Siècle. In a few years of their existence, Correspondances have become a benchmark ensemble in the 17th-century French repertory. Placing itself under the auspices of Baudelaire’s notion of correspondences between the arts, the ensemble performs music which sonorities can still directly touch today’s listeners while presenting staged productions of rare and more original forms.

The rediscovery of previously unpublished works and the expression of a style as close as possible to this of the 17th century is at the core of ensemble’s projects. Its long-term research programmes have led to exceptional events, such as the monumental reconstruction of the coronation of Louis XIV, or of the music of Le Ballet Royal de la Nuit, thus allowing the listeners to rediscover major musical moments of the 17th century, which inaugurated the reign of the Sun King.

The ensemble’s other key commitment to breathe new life into already the figures of well-known composers and restoring the images of those less familiar today but celebrated and frequently performed in their times has already yielded seventeen critically acclaimed recordings, which have earned national and international distinctions. The list includes Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s Litanies de la Vierge (2013), Pastorale de Noël – Grandes Antiennes O de l’Avent (2016) and Histoires Sacrées (2019), Etienne Moulinié’s Meslanges pour la Chapelle d’un Prince (2015), the grands motets of Henry du Mont (2016) and Michel-Richard Delalande (2022), Lucile Richardot’s first solo recording Perpetual Night (2018) and Buxtehude’s Membra Jesu nostri (2021).

Equally to rediscovering the lyrical scene that preceded opera, Correspondances is keen to revive French or foreign stage forms such as the ballet de cour, the “sacred story”, the semi-opera and the mask. In 2017, Le Ballet Royal de la Nuit was created at the théâtre de Caen, a grandiose, magical and contemporary show, as imagined by choreographer Francesca Lattuada. The ensemble continues its exploration of the experimental formats that marked the Grand Siècle with such stage productions as Songs directed by Samuel Achache and with soloist Lucile Richardot, and the mask Cupid & Death created in 2021 at the théâtre de Caen, an eccentric entertainment in an upside down world shaped by Jos Houben and Emily Wilson. In 2021, Correspondances premiered Combattimento, the black swan theory at the Festival d’art lyrique d’Aix-en-Provence, a creation based on masterpieces of Monteverdi and other Italian composers from the 17th century staged by Silvia Costa.

Correspondances brings polyphony and lyrical music to places where they are not expected. Since 2020, the ensemble has been cycling the roads every summer, bringing the 17th-century music to the heart of Normandy. A musical, sporting and Norman adventure for all ages.

The Ensemble Correspondances is in residence at the théâtre de Caen. It is associated with the Musée du Louvre. It receives the support of la vie brève – Théâtre de l’Aquarium for its creation residency.

The Ensemble Correspondances is supported by the Ministry of Culture – DRAC Normandie, the Normandy region, the Calvados department, the city of Caen and the théâtre de Caen.

The ensemble is assisted by the Correspondances Foundation, which brings together music lovers active in supporting research, publishing and interpretation of 17th-century music.

It receives regular support from the Calvados department, the French Institute, the ODIA Normandie and the Centre national de la musique for its concert, export and recording activities.

The Ensemble Correspondances is a member of Arviva – Arts vivants, Arts durables, and is committed to the environmental transition of performing arts.

The ensemble is a member of FEVIS (La fédération des ensembles vocaux et instrumentaux spécialisés – Federation of Specialized Vocal and Instrumental Ensembles), PROFEDIM (Syndicat professionnel des Producteurs, Festivals, Ensembles, Diffuseurs Indépendants de Musique Entreprises – Professional Union of Music Producers, Festivals, Ensembles, and Independent Distributors) and REMA (Réseau European de Musique Ancienne – European Early Music Network).

Events with this artist

Residents

Martyna Pastuszka - zdjęcie

2022

Martyna Pastuszka

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2020

Raphaël Pichon

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Zdjęcie przedstawiające Antonio Florio

2019

Antonio Florio

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2018

John Butt

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Vincent Dumestre - zdjęcie

2017

Vincent Dumestre.

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Organizers