In 2026, the Centre de musique baroque de Versailles (CMBV) will celebrate the 300th anniversary of the death of Michel-Richard de Lalande (1657–1726), a central figure of French Baroque music and composer for Kings Louis XIV and Louis XV.
On this occasion, the CMBV invites conservatoires and their early music departments to integrate initiatives centred on Michel-Richard de Lalande into their educational and artistic programmes in 2025 and 2026: teacher concerts, student concerts, lectures, and other activities. The CMBV offers its support and collaboration to assist these projects.
The CMBV provides conservatoires with exclusive access to four emblematic works, newly edited for the occasion and adapted for different ensembles, ideal for students at advanced levels (2nd and 3rd cycles):
Concert d’Esculape
5th Suite from the Symphonies pour les Soupers du Roi (1727)
3rd Leçons de Ténèbres
Miserere
An expanded catalogue also includes other works by Lalande and his contemporaries. In addition to these resources, the CMBV offers further support through masterclasses, musicology lectures, visits to the Hôtel des Menus-Plaisirs, loan of instruments, and more.
The CMBV nationally recognises participating conservatoires through the Lalande 2026 label, enhancing their visibility and highlighting their involvement in this major commemorative project.
Throughout 2025–2026, discover below the initiatives planned by the conservatoires participating in the celebrations!
