French Touch

In nineteenth-century France, the composition of four-part choral pieces, for operatic or religious purposes, was an obligatory part of every composer’s training. Works for vocal quartet – for soprano, alto, tenor and bass (SATB) as soloists – were however rare.

That atypical ensemble nevertheless enables Jennifer Courcier, Éléonore Pancrazi, Enguerrand de Hys and Philippe Estèphe, accompanied by Emmanuel Christien, piano, to take a look at the history of French opéra-bouffe, from Hervé, Offenbach and Delibes to Serpette, Audran and Messager – while varying the vocal combinations. The programme they present is full of fun – and the singing is beautiful!