The CMBV choir Les Pages & les Chantres transport us to the stage of the prestigious Jesuit college Louis-le-Grand in 1688 with a performance of Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s masterpiece David et Jonathas.

At court and throughout the city, tragédies en musique masterpieces by the Superintendent of Music were very popular, while college theatres, notably the famous Collège Louis-le-Grand, promoted bold musical forms and expressions at celebrations during Lent or at the end of the academic year. Olivier Schneebeli, in keeping with the artistic spirit that reigned on 28th February 1688 at the prestigious Jesuit college in Paris and at the Académie Royale de Musique, has brought together the CMBV choir Les Pages & les Chantres and top professional singers for a production of Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s masterpiece David et Jonathas. The voices of children, soloists and choristers and declamations intersperse the marvellous religious poetry of Antoine Godeau (replacing Father Chamillard’s lost Latin drama), drawing today’s audiences into the intensity and drama inspired by the heartrending story of two famous biblical heroes.