This concert presents a selection of some of the songs published in a unique illustrated songbook compiled by the composer and theorist Jean-Benjamin de la Borde. Published in 1773 and dedicated to Marie Antoinette, the Dauphine of France, this extraordinary song book is adorned with beautiful images from some of France’s leading master printmakers. This event complements the research of an interdisciplinary team of scholars in the creation of a ground-breaking digital edition of the songbook funded by the Australian Research Council.
The harp was the favoured instrument of the Dauphine and the most fashionable instrument at court of Louis XVI. The most modish instrument in the court of Louis XV was the musette, or small French bagpipes. In addition to selected songs from la Borde’s songbook, we present selections of music on both of these instruments and performed by Australia’s leading specialists on period replicas in works that span the reigns of the two monarchs and outline the period of la Borde’s influence at court.
Anthea Cottee, viola da gamba
Erin Helyard, harpsichord
Louis Hurley, tenor
Hannah Lane, harp
Lauren Lodge-Campbell, soprano
Simon Rickard, musette
Philippe-Jacques Meyer (1737–1819).
Fantasia
Hannah Lane, harp
and arr. Jean-Benjamin de la Borde (1734–1794)
From Choix de Chansons
Le portrait reconnu—S.1.01
Lauren Lodge-Campbell, soprano
Hannah Lane, harp
La dormeuse [Le repos]—S.1.04
Louis Hurley, tenor
Hannah Lane, harp
Le clavessin—S.2.07
Lauren Lodge-Campbell, soprano
Erin Helyard, harpsichord
La statue de l’amitie—S.2.11
Louis Hurley, tenor
Erin Helyard, harpsichord
Joseph Bodin de Boismortier (1689–1755)
Il Divertissemens de Campagne Op. 49
Extracts from Divertissement II
Prélude—Lentement
Passepied
Rondeau—Gaiment
Air tendre
Rondeau—Gracieusement
Simon Rickard, musette
Anthea Cottee, viola da gamba
Erin Helyard, harpsichord
and arr. Jean-Benjamin de la Borde (1734–1794)
From Choix de Chansons
Le loup garou—S.2.13
Lauren Lodge-Campbell, soprano
Erin Helyard, harpsichord
Hannah Lane, harp
Regrets de David sur la mort de Betsabée—S.2.25
Lauren Lodge-Campbell, soprano
Hannah Lane, harp
Le Concert—S.2.22
Louis Hurley, tenor
Erin Helyard, harpsichord
Priere a Morphée—S.3.13
Louis Hurley, tenor
Erin Helyard, harpsichord
Hannah Lane, harp
Joseph Bodin de Boismortier (1689–1755)
Il Divertissemens de Campagne Op. 49
Extracts from Divertissement I
Prélude—Lentement
Marche
Paisane
Sarabande
Chaconne
Simon Rickard, musette
Anthea Cottee, viola da gamba
Erin Helyard, harpsichord
and arr. Jean-Benjamin de la Borde (1734–1794)
From Choix de Chansons
Le dernier parti a prendre—S.4.20
Lauren Lodge-Campbell, soprano
Hannah Lane, harp
Joseph Bodin de Boismortier (1689-1755)
Chantez avec moi ma musette
Erin Helyard, harpsichord
Lauren Lodge-Campbell, soprano
Louis Hurley, tenor
Simon Rickard, musette
Hannah Lane, harp
Anthea Cottee, viola da gamba
