William Christie with Les Arts Florissants

William Christie director/harpsichord  

Grounds open 1pm

Starts 3pm

2 hrs 15 mins, including an interval

Les Arts Florissants:  
Ana Vieira Leite  soprano, Aminta
Shakèd Bar mezzo-soprano, Fillide 

Augusta McKay Lodge violin  
Sophie de Bardonnèche violin
Simon Heyerick viola
Félix Knecht cello
Hugo Abraham double bass  

Handel
Trio Sonata in C minor HWV 386a  
Duetti da Camera  
No, di voi non vo' fidarmi HWV 189  
Trio Sonata in B-flat Major HWV 388  
Aminta e Fillide, HWV 83 

William Christie's notable career as harpsichordist took a new turn in 1979 when he founded Les Arts Florissants. Directing this extraordinary ensemble, he played a pioneering role in the rediscovery of Baroque music, bringing the largely neglected or forgotten French repertoire of the 17th and 18th centuries to a worldwide audience. In 2002, William created Le Jardin des Voix, supporting the next generation, and it is some of these young artists he brings to this special concert celebrating his 80th birthday and returning to Glyndebourne where he has conducted many Baroque operas.

William Christie on Aminate e Fillide

'Although Aminta e Fillide is rarely performed, one is immediately struck by the sense of familiarity it exudes. In fact, this is hardly surprising: this early pastoral cantata, written during Handel's first stay in Rome (1708), provided the material for several of his masterpieces many years later. Some of the most famous arias from Agrippina, Rinaldo and the Ode to Saint Cecilia are literally taken from that score!

The variety of the 40 or so arias in Aminta e Fillide is equally astonishing. It was originally composed for Marquis Ruspoli and the Académie des Arcadiens - a group of literati gathered under the patronage of Queen Christine of Sweden, who liked to meet in the heat of the Roman summer in the marquis's idyllic gardens. For almost an hour, the story follows in a sober style the amorous assaults of the shepherd Aminta, obstructed by the reluctance of the nymph Fillide... but Aminta's steadfastness and fidelity will eventually melt her heart.'