La Néréide

In addition to their solo careers, Julie Roset, Camille Allérat and Ana Vieira Leite are also the founders of the La Néréide ensemble, which turns its attention to little-known repertoires. After an initial project - which was recorded - based on rare madrigals composed by Luzzasco Luzzaschi of Ferrara for three mysterious ladies from his city, they are now turning their attention to late-seventeenth and early-eighteenth century scores composed for use in young ladies' institutions, including the most famous of all, Saint-Cyr's Maison Royale de Saint-Louis. Founded in 1686 by Madame de Maintenon - Louis XIV's last mistress and secret wife - its aim was to provide a complete education - according to the criteria of the time - for penniless young noblewomen. Music and singing, of course, were an essential part of this higher education. Numerous composers were therefore called upon to write for the Demoiselles de Saint-Cyr, not least Louis Nicolas Clérambault, who composed this Three-part Miserere for them in 1745.

But behind its Pascalian-inspired title - "The heart has its reasons that reason does not know" - this original programme also looks at what set the hearts of these young ladies beating outside church. With a judicious selection of airs galants and airs de Cour, La Néréide invites us to explore the secret stirrings of passionate young souls.

Duration
about 1 h 15 

Prices
€ 5 - 38

Julie Roset

Camille Allérat

Ana Vieira Leite

Emmanuel Arakélian

Salomé Gasselin

Gabriel Rignol

Je ne sais pas ce que je sens

Miserere

J'ayme, je suis aimé

Lorsqu'avec une ardeur extrême

Quand une âme est bien atteinte

Bois, ruisseaux, aimable verdure

Miserere

Sombres déserts

Je m'abandonne à vous

Laisse-moi soupirer, importune raison