Gondolas on the Seine

Harpsichord Gems Inspired by Venice
(F. Couperin, D. Scarlatti, J.-Ph. Rameau, A. Vivaldi)

Béatrice Martin – harpsichord (France)

Imagine yourself walking along the Quai des Grands-Augustins at dusk – or on any other of the elegant riverside promenades in Paris – when suddenly you notice a gondola approaching on the Seine. What is more, as it comes closer, you realize that there is a harpsichord aboard the vessel, played by a charming French lady. No wonder! French harpsichordists have always been mesmerized by the beauty of Venice; take for example the Couperin cousins or Jean-Philippe Rameau. On 12 July, one such gondola belonging to the virtuoso player Béatrice Martin will drop anchor in Prague to take us South on the wave of French Baroque sonatas inspired by Venice and Italy. The fearless gondolier and playful Harlequin will accompany us on the way. The recital in Clam-Gallas Palace will be preceded by a short talk on the historical context of the program by the artistic director of the Centre of Baroque Music in Versailles, Benoît Dratwicki.

The price of the ticket includes a short talk (in French with a Czech translation) by the Artistic Director of the Centre of Baroque Music in Versailles, Benoît Dratwicki, on the topic of “French Harpsichord Music during the Reign of Louis XIV“.
The talk starts at 6 p.m. 

More about Gondolas on the Seine Event www