In December final 12 months, I interviewed Franck-Emmanuel Comte of the Lyons-based ensemble Le Live performance de l’Hostel de Dieu [see my interview], and we chatted about their 50/50 undertaking, a programme that blended Baroque and up to date music. In Might 2023, the ensemble is coming to the UK and bringing the undertaking to 3 live shows in London, Oxford and Ludlow.
The live performance presents one thing of a problem – half Baroque, half up to date, half French, half British. A bridge between two international locations and two eras, the live performance options music by two up to date composers, David Chalmin and Martyn Harry, and music by Purcell and Lully. The French composer, David Chalmin has written music impressed by Purcell, while the British composer, Martyn Harry has written music impressed by Lully. Each mix the sounds of the Baroque instrumentation with their very own language, opening up a dialogue between occasions, languages and borders.
Le Live performance de l’Hostel de Dieu and Franck-Emmanuel Comte, with mezzo-soprano Axelle Verner, will probably be presenting 50/50 on the London Pageant of Baroque Music at St John’s Smith Sq. (15/5/2023), Ludlow Meeting Rooms (17/5/2023) and Holywell Music Room, Oxford (19 Might 2023)
